Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, but also worth cellaring, this full-coloured, savoury red has a fragrant, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling and supple, it has excellent depth of ripe plum, black pepper and nutty oak flavours, showing very good complexity and harmony….
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This very classy, youthful, single-vineyard red was grown at Palm Beach and matured in French oak barrels (60% new). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and concentrated, with deep, ripe plum and spice flavours, complex and savoury, and a vigorous, lasting…
Comments Off on Thomas Legacy Waiheke Island Syrah 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Underlining syrah’s potential in the South Island, this weighty, full-coloured, fairly youthful red was hand-picked, matured for 15 months in French oak barrels (40% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Full-bodied and savoury, it has deep, ripe blackcurrant and plum…
Comments Off on Greystone Waipara Valley North Canterbury Syrah 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Probably at its peak, this middleweight wine has ruby, slightly developed colour. Savoury and supple, it has good but not great depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, and a well-rounded finish. $33
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Matua Single Vineyard Upper Moutere Nelson Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, this single-vineyard red was grown at Bannockburn. Ruby hued, it is full-bodied and supple, with good depth of ripe fruit flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and a very harmonious, silky-smooth finish. $32 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Invivo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
New Zealand’s highest-priced wine cask by far, this full-coloured, youthful red was grown in the Bannockburn, Bendigo and Pisa districts, and matured for 11 months in French oak barrels (16% new). Crafted as a premium, rather than typical ‘bag-in-box’, wine,…
Comments Off on Dice Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Very harmonious and savoury, this estate-grown wine was hand-picked and matured in French oak barriques. Deep, bright ruby, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with excellent depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, and a well-rounded…
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Well worth cellaring, this deep ruby red was grown at two sites in the Waihopai Valley, hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Highly fragrant, it is full-bodied, with youthful, complex, concentrated flavours, savoury and…
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Forward in its appeal, this highly attractive red was grown at two sites and matured for a year in oak barrels (21% new). Ruby hued, with a hint of development, it is mouthfilling and supple, with generous, ripe cherry, herb…
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Estate-grown at Te Muna, this deeply coloured red was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Mouthfilling, it has concentrated, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, gently seasoned with oak, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh acidity…
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This skilfully crafted, deep ruby red was estate-grown at Te Muna. Very elegant and savoury, it is full-bodied, with generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, and ripe, supple tannins. Harmonious and youthful, it should be at its…
Comments Off on The Elder Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Silky-textured, this youthful red was hand-harvested and matured for nearly a year in French oak barriques (30% new). Deep, bright ruby, it has a fragrant, savoury bouquet. Mouthfilling, it has generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This pale pink rosé was made almost entirely from pinot noir. A lively, medium-bodied wine, it has fresh, gentle peach, strawberry and spice flavours, crisp, dry and lingering. $20
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This pale pink rosé is from pinot noir, estate-grown in the lower Rapaura district, in the Wairau Valley. Youthful, fresh and lively, it is medium-bodied and dry, with gentle peach, strawberry and spice flavours, showing good delicacy and depth. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This drink-young charmer is a multi-regional blend, based on merlot and pinot noir, with smaller amounts of sauvignon blanc and pinot gris. Bright pink, it is fresh and lively, with strawberry and spice flavours, finely balanced, dryish and appetisingly crisp….
Comments Off on Invivo Taylor’s New Zealand Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Instantly engaging, this pale pink rosé was made from pinot noir grown in the Southern Valleys. Refined, it is vibrantly fruity, with gentle strawberry and spice flavours, hints of peach and watermelon, fresh acidity and a dry finish. Fine value….
Comments Off on Delta Estate Marlborough Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Instantly appealing, this vigorous, bright pink wine is very fresh and lively. It has strong peach, strawberry and watermelon flavours, with a hint of apricot, balanced acidity and a finely balanced, dry finish. $28 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Closed with a crown seal, this ‘naturally sparkling’ wine was ‘bottled before primary ferment completed’. Unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulphur, it has a light straw colour. Very vigorous, it has strong, fresh, lemony, appley flavours, gentle yeasty notes,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Pétillant Naturel 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This characterful wine was made from pinot noir and disgorged after 50 months on its yeast lees. Pale orange, it is crisp and vigorous, with strong strawberry, peach and spice flavours, showing very good complexity, and a dryish, yeasty, finely…
Comments Off on Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Still very youthful, this attractively scented wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested. Pale and light-bodied, it has strong, vigorous lemon/apple flavours, with fractional sweetness finely balanced by crisp, appetising acidity. Best drinking 2024+. $35
Comments Off on Butterworth Te Muna Martinborough Dry Riesling 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Already enjoyable, this light lemon/green, medium-bodied wine has ripe, peachy flavours, fresh and generous, appetising acidity, a very easy-drinking balance and a persistent finish. Best drinking 2024+. $28
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This full-bodied, rich riesling was hand-harvested, fermented in an even split of tanks and old French oak barriques, and then lees-aged for another six months in old barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it has strong personality, with deep, peachy flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Certified organic, this distinctive wine was hand-picked with some ‘noble rot’ influence. Bright, light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented and full-bodied, with rich, peachy, vaguely honeyed flavours. Made in a medium style, with balanced acidity, it’s a very harmonious wine,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Riesling 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This ideal, all-purpose wine was grown in the Southern Valleys and briefly lees-aged. Fresh and lively, it is medium-bodied, with satisfying depth of pear, lychee and spice flavours and a basically dry, smooth finish. $20
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Freshly scented, this medium-bodied wine has peach and pear flavours, gentle spicy notes, and very good delicacy and depth. Made in a fractionally off-dry style, it’s enjoyable young. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Invivo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Invitingly scented, this medium to full-bodied wine was hand-picked in local growers’ vineyards and fermented in seasoned French oak barriques. Light lemon/green, it has generous, peachy, spicy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a soft, dryish finish. It’s drinking well now….
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Delicious young, this is a powerful, sturdy wine, attractively scented, with generous, ripe peach and lychee flavours, fresh acidity and an off-dry, finely balanced finish. Best drinking mid-2023+. $28
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This estate-grown blend of pinot gris (93%) and flora (7%) was fermented and matured for six months in old oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with deep stonefruit and pear flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and…
Comments Off on Thomas Legacy Waiheke Island Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This powerful wine was hand-picked, mostly fermented in old French barriques, then fully aged for another six months in old barrels. Weighty and vigorous, it has concentrated, peachy, spicy flavours, showing impressive complexity, and a long, off-dry, very harmonious finish….
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This richly scented, estate-grown wine was hand-picked and 30% of the blend was fermented in seasoned oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, very fresh and vibrant, with concentrated, ripe peach, pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing a distinct…
Comments Off on Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
The back label describes this as ‘big and bold’, but in fact it’s a fresh, fruity, medium-bodied wine. Vibrant, with ripe, peachy, slightly toasty flavours and a smooth finish, it’s an easy-drinking style, enjoyable young. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Invivo Gisborne Chardonnay 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A drink-now or cellaring proposition, this wine was hand-harvested and fermented in old French oak puncheons. Bright, light yellow/green, it shows very good complexity, with strong, peachy, gently toasty flavours, and a very harmonious finish. $38
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Still youthful, this wine was hand-harvested, and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak barriques (16% new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a distinctly smoky bouquet, it is full-bodied, with strong, vigorous, peachy, citrusy flavours, fresh, lively acidity and…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This fragrant, full-bodied wine was matured for 11 months in oak barrels (16% new). Offering strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak, it is savoury, with very good depth, vigour, complexity and harmony, and a lengthy finish. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This very harmonious wine has a fragrant, slightly buttery bouquet. Grown principally at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley, it was fermented and matured for eight months in seasoned French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Creamy-textured and savoury, this single-vineyard wine was fermented and matured for a year in French oak barrels (15% new). Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it is youthful, with strong, ripe, stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, very good complexity and fresh,…
Comments Off on Butterworth Te Muna Martinborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Offering very good value, this estate-grown wine was hand-picked and barrel-fermented. Bright yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with rich, ripe stonefruit flavours, buttery, toasty notes adding complexity, balanced acidity and a savoury, finely balanced finish. Delicious drinking now onwards. $33
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Matua Single Vineyard Upper Moutere Nelson Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This distinctive, vigorous, finely textured wine was estate-grown and barrel-fermented (50% new). Full-bodied, it is very elegant, with strong, vibrant, ripe peach and grapefruit flavours to the fore, finely integrated, biscuity oak adding complexity, and fresh, balanced acidity. Still unfolding,…
Comments Off on Thomas Legacy Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Already drinking well, this organically certified wine was hand-picked, and fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new). The bouquet is fragrant and complex; the palate mouthfilling and savoury, with deep stonefruit flavours, finely integrated oak,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Finely balanced, this fresh, medium-to-full-bodied wine has tropical fruit flavours to the fore, vaguely salty notes, and very good vigour and depth. $20 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Showing good vigour and intensity, this wine was grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley. Light lemon/green, it is fresh and full-bodied, with passionfruit, lime and green capsicum flavours, a hint of saltiness and a crisp, dry, lengthy…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Very aromatic, fresh and lively, this blend of Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay grapes was lees-aged for several months before bottling. Bright, light lemon/green, it is strongly varietal, with good depth of vibrant passionfruit, lime and green capsicum flavours, finely balanced…
Comments Off on Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Strongly herbaceous, this is a regional blend of Marlborough (60%) and Hawke’s Bay (40%) grapes. Very fresh and vigorous, it has penetrating melon and green capsicum flavours, in a green-edged, intensely varietal style. $19 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Graham Norton’s Own New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, this wine was made from local growers’ grapes. Light lemon/green, it is fresh and lively, in a medium-bodied style with tropical fruit flavours to the fore, gentle herbal notes, crisp acidity and very good depth….
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Punchy, medium-bodied wine with fresh passionfruit/lime flavours, showing very good vigour and intensity, and a dry, appetisingly crisp finish. $18 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Full of youthful impact, this estate-grown wine was partly barrel-fermented. Mouthfilling and zesty, it has penetrating, clearly herbaceous flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. $26
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Grown at three sites at Dillons Point, this is a high impact, vibrant wine with incisive tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with a green-edged, crisp finish. $34 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Fresh and punchy, this Dillons Point wine is bright, light lemon/green, with strong herbaceous and tropical fruit flavours. Medium to full-bodied, with slightly salty notes, it has appetising acidity and a persistent finish. $27 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This aromatic, vigorous, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point. Medium-bodied, it is strongly varietal, with very good intensity of tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, a vaguely salty streak, and a fully dry, appetisingly crisp finish. $25
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This intensely varietal, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley. Bright, light lemon/green, it is a fresh, aromatic, medium to full-bodied style, with punchy, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, slightly salty notes and a crisp,…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023