Posted: April 8, 2020
Enjoyable young, but also worth cellaring, this easy-drinking red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is vibrantly fruity, with good depth of youthful, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh and smooth. Best drinking 2021. $19
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, full-bodied, clearly herbaceous style with melon and green capsicum flavours, crisp and lively, and a finely balanced, tangy finish. Good value. $15
Comments Off on Spinyback Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Soft, medium-bodied, buoyantly fruity style, gently sweet, with attractive stonefruit flavours, offering very easy drinking. (From Waimea Estates). $15
Comments Off on Spinyback Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Enjoyable now, this mouthfilling wine has a fragrant, citrusy bouquet, gentle acidity and good depth of peachy, citrusy, slightly buttery flavours. Priced sharply. $15
Comments Off on Spinyback Nelson Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Ruby hued, drink-young style, very lightly oak-influenced. Medium-bodied, vibrantly fruity and supple, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a touch of complexity and a smooth finish. $20 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, full-bodied and lively, with stonefruit and spice flavours and a smooth, basically dry finish. A good, all-purpose wine. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Easy-drinking, lightly oaked style with fresh, ripe, peachy, slightly buttery flavours, a touch of complexity, balanced acidity and good depth. $20 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Enjoyable young, this crisp, lively, medium-bodied wine has good depth of tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, fresh acidity and a finely balanced finish. $19 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Bright ruby, youthful red, barrel-aged for 11 months. Fresh, plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a fairly firm finish. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Full-bodied, partly barrel-fermented wine with good depth of peachy, slightly gingery, distinctly spicy flavours, fresh acidity and an off-dry finish. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Full-bodied, vibrantly fruity, briefly oak-matured red, grown mostly in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Enjoyable young, with fresh, berry and spice aromas and flavours, showing very good depth, and a smooth finish. $20
Comments Off on Sileni Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc Merlot 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Aromatic and full-bodied, with very good depth of fresh, lively, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, dry and crisp. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Strongly varietal, medium-bodied red, grown in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 8 months in French oak barrels (20% new). Full-coloured and vibrantly fruity, with good depth of plummy, spicy flavours, a touch of complexity and gentle tannins. $28
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Upfront style, grown in the Riflemans Vineyard and fermented in French oak barriques (30% new). Full-bodied, with a slightly smoky bouquet, strong, peachy, toasty flavours, showing considerable complexity, and fresh acidity. $25
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Bright pink, attractively scented wine with good depth of lively red berry/plum flavours, fresh acidity and an off-dry, smooth finish. $22
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, lively, medium-bodied wine with good depth of ripely herbaceous flavours, appetising acidity and a tangy finish. $16 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Enjoyable young, this ruby hued, supple red is medium-bodied, with fresh, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, hints of herbs and nutty oak (from 11 months maturation in French oak barriques), and considerable complexity. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Awatere River Vavasour Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Light and lively, dryish style, with very good depth of lemony, appley flavours, fresh, crisp and full of youthful vigour. $18 (A)
Comments Off on Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Ripely herbaceous style, grown on the Waimea Plains and briefly lees-aged. Mouthfilling, crisp and lively, with tropical fruit and green capsicum flavours, showing good vigour and intensity. $18 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Full of drink-young charm, this skilfully blended wine is dominated by pinot noir and pinot gris. Bright pink, it is full-bodied, with generous, lively watermelon, peach and spice flavours, fresh and strong, and an off-dry, seductively smooth finish. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Summerhouse Marlborough Pinot Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Full-bodied style, with good concentration of stonefruit and spice flavours, a hint of ginger, a distinct touch of barrel-ferment complexity (50%) and a dry finish. Drink now-2020. $22
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Selection Priestess Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Pale pink Hawke’s Bay wine with generous peach, strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of apricot, and a fresh, basically dry, finely balanced finish. $20
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Rosé Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Finely balanced for early enjoyment, this vibrantly fruity wine was fermented and lees-aged in an even split of tanks and French oak barriques (25% new). It is fragrant and harmonious, with fresh, generous stonefruit flavours to the fore, lively acidity,…
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Drinking well from the start, this is a blend of pinot noir and pinot gris. Pale pink/faint orange, it is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with generous, peachy, spicy flavours, a hint of apricot, and an off-dry, smooth finish. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Pinot Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Delicious young, this is an attractively scented, light-bodied wine with fresh, peachy, slightly limey flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness, crisp acidity and a finely poised, lengthy finish. Great value. $16 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates North Canterbury Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Elegant, very vibrant wine, mostly (75%) barrel-fermented. Fresh, citrusy, peachy flavours to the fore, with a subtle seasoning of oak, considerable complexity and a finely balanced, lingering finish. $24
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Shelter Belt Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Grown on Paewhenua Island, in the Far North, this lively wine has fresh, gently spicy aromas. Full of youthful vigour, it is weighty, with very good depth of pear, lychee and spice flavours and a finely textured, dryish finish. $25
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Northland Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Drinking well from the start, this Far North rosé was blended from syrah and cabernet franc. Bright, light pink, it is fresh and full-bodied, with strong berry and spice flavours, a sliver of sweetness and a smooth, lively finish. $25
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Mangonui Northland Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Still very youthful, this is a fresh, vibrant, medium-bodied wine with good intensity of peachy, gently spicy flavours, lively acidity and a dry finish. Best drinking 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This fragrant, light yellow/pale gold wine was fermented and lees-aged for nine months in French oak barriques. Full-bodied, it has strong, citrusy, slightly toasty and creamy flavours, fresh acidity and good complexity. Best drinking 2021+. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Awatere River Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Bright pink, this fresh, floral rosé is a single-vineyard wine, hand-harvested at Gibbston. Full of drink-young charm, it is vivacious, with strong, vibrant, strawberry and spice flavours, crisp and harmonious. $28
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fragrant, savoury, single-vineyard Bannockburn red, matured for a year in French oak barriques (25% new). Deep ruby, well-structured wine with fresh, youthful cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent ripeness and complexity. Best drinking 2021+. $40 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Punchy, very fresh and aromatic. Full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with penetrating tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, lively acidity and a dry, lingering finish. $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Sileni Grand Reserve Straits Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, youthful and finely balanced wine, fermented and lees-aged for 10 months in French oak barriques. Fragrant, with concentrated, ripe stonefruit flavours, buttery and toasty notes adding complexity, good acid spine and obvious aging potential. $35
Comments Off on Sileni Grand Reserve Lodge Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This regional blend is well worth cellaring. Partly (40%) barrel-fermented, it is scented, youthful and mouthfilling, with fresh, concentrated, pear-like flavours, revealing excellent delicacy and vibrancy, gentle spiciness, and a finely balanced finish. Best drinking 2021+. $27 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Maude Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Still unfolding, this firmly structured red was estate-grown, hand-picked and barrel-aged for 20 months. Bright ruby, with ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, good tannin backbone and a perfumed bouquet, it’s well worth cellaring to 2022+. $55
Comments Off on Folding Hill Orchard Block Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Finely scented, ruby hued red, matured for a year in French oak hogsheads (20% new). Still very youthful, with vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity and supple tannins. Elegant, savoury red, well worth cellaring to 2022+. $98 (A)
Comments Off on Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This single-vineyard Bendigo red offers fine value. Barrel-aged for 10 months, it is bright ruby, with a fragrant, savoury bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is sweet-fruited, with rich cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing very good complexity and harmony, and a smooth…
Comments Off on Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Offering good value, this freshly aromatic wine was grown at three sites in the Awatere Valley. Mouthfilling and lively, it has youthful melon and green capsicum flavours, showing excellent vigour and intensity, and a dry, lingering finish. $20 (A, UK,…
Comments Off on Awatere River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Deeply coloured, rich red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in French oak barriques. Mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, fine-grained tannins and impressive complexity. Still very fresh and youthful, it’s well worth…
Comments Off on Sileni Grand Reserve Triangle Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Richly fragrant, intense wine, hand-picked in the Riflemans Vineyard and fermented in French oak barrels (50% new). Finely poised, with fresh, ripe stonefruit flavours, lively acidity, and excellent complexity, vigour and harmony. Drink now or cellar. $35
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Very classy, youthful wine, hand-harvested from 27 year-old vines and fermented in French oak barriques (80% new). Fragrant, slightly smoky bouquet, leading into a powerful, but refined and complex, wine with concentrated stonefruit and biscuity oak flavours, good acid spine…
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Mouthfilling, supple, ageworthy red, hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (25% new). Full-coloured, with fresh, concentrated plum and black pepper flavours, a hint of liquorice, and good density and complexity. Still youthful,…
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Powerful, robust red (15% alc/vol), matured for 14 months in French oak barrels (20% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Sturdy, sweet-fruited and firm, with berryish, spicy flavours, revealing excellent ripeness, complexity and depth. Certified organic. $65
Comments Off on Muddy Water Waipara Pinotage 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Finely scented, ruby hued red, hand-picked from vines planted in 1993, matured for 14 months in French oak barriques (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Savoury, with impressive density of cherryish, plummy, spicy, nutty flavours, still fresh and youthful,…
Comments Off on Muddy Water Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Certified organic, this distinctive wine, from vines planted in 1993, was fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak puncheons. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with rich, vibrant stonefruit flavours, integrated oak, excellent complexity and lovely…
Comments Off on Muddy Water Waipara Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Distinctly Mosel-like, this attractively scented wine was hand-harvested from mature vines and made in a medium-sweet style. Bright, light lemon/green, it is light and racy, with intense, lemony, appley flavours, lively acidity and a long finish. Best drinking 2022+. $32
Comments Off on Maude Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Wanaka Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This intense, youthful, racy wine is full of aging potential. From 25 year-old vines, it is medium-bodied, with deep, lemony, limey flavours, showing excellent delicacy and vigour, and a racy, dryish, lasting finish. Best 2022+. $32
Comments Off on Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Wanaka Dry Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020