Posted: April 20, 2017
Priced right, this ruby-hued red was estate-grown at Rapaura, on the north side of the Wairau Valley, and fermented with indigenous (‘wild’) yeasts. Drinking well now, it is a medium-bodied style, with satisfying depth of fresh, ripe plum and spice…
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This non-vintage, carbonated Hawke’s Bay bubbly is chardonnay-based (90%), with a splash of merlot (10%). Pink/pale red, it is crisp and lively, with berryish, slightly yeasty flavours, smooth and dry. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Sileni Cuvée Rosé Sparkling NV / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Enjoyable young, this very lightly oaked wine is ruby hued, floral and supple, in a medium-bodied, slightly savoury style with fresh plum and black pepper flavours to the fore. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Forward in its appeal, this is a ruby hued, mouthfilling and supple red with gentle tannins, a touch of complexity, and fresh, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours to the fore. Priced right. $20
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Mouthfilling and fleshy, this single-vineyard wine has satisfying depth of ripe, passionfruit and lime flavours, in a smooth, easy-drinking style. Ready. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Priced right, this is an easy-drinking, gently sweet wine, medium-bodied, with citrusy, appley flavours, hints of pears and spices, and good harmony. Drink now or cellar. $16 (UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Waipara Valley Riesling 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, medium-bodied wine, estate-grown in the Esk Valley, barrel-fermented and oak-aged for a year, with weekly lees-stirring. Crisp and lively, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a slightly sweet, tangy finish. $20
Comments Off on Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Offering good value, this youthful, ruby-hued red is medium-bodied, with ripe, moderately concentrated plum/spice flavours and savoury notes adding a distinct touch of complexity. Best drinking 2018+. $20
Comments Off on Brancott Estate Terroir Series Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Floral and supple, this is a drink-young charmer. Bright ruby, it has good depth of vibrant cherry, plum, herb and spice flavours, a touch of complexity and gentle tannins. (From Pernod Ricard NZ). $25
Comments Off on The Last Shepherd Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
From a one-hectare site and partly barrel-fermented, this weighty, dry wine is drinking well now. Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with fresh acidity woven through its citrusy, slightly minerally flavours. Good food wine. $22
Comments Off on The Cherry Orchard Single Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still very youthful, this is a deep ruby red, medium-bodied, floral and supple. Barrel-aged for 20 months, it is vibrant and smooth, with fresh acidity and plenty of plummy, gently spicy flavour. Best drinking 2018+. $35 (UK)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Smooth, easy-drinking style, estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Full-coloured, with fresh, berryish, plummy flavours, some earthy notes, gentle tannins and good depth. Drink now or cellar. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Finely balanced for early drinking, this is a fresh, mouthfilling, moderately complex wine with a slightly creamy texture and generous, citrusy, slightly peachy and toasty flavours. $21
Comments Off on Saint Clair Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
From sites in the lower Wairau Valley, this is an easy-drinking, medium-bodied wine, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours to the fore, some herbaceous notes, and a dry, crisp finish. $24
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Building up well with bottle age, this is a fleshy, creamy-textured wine with generous peach, pear and lychee flavours, balanced acidity and a gently spicy, dryish finish. $24
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh and youthful, this is a buoyantly fruity, full-bodied wine with pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing very good varietal character and depth, appetising acidity and a dryish finish. Best drinking 2018+. $19
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Full of drink-young charm, this finely poised, ruby-hued red was matured for nine months in French oak casks (22% new). Fresh and smooth, it is vibrantly fruity, with good depth of plum, spice and herb flavours and a gentle seasoning…
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Priced sharply, this is a strongly varietal wine. Full-bodied, with plenty of fresh, slightly sweet, peachy, slightly spicy flavour, it’s already drinking well. $16 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Priced right, this full-bodied, ripely herbaceous wine was grown at Rapaura. It offers good depth of passionfruit/lime flavours, fresh, finely balanced and smooth. $18
Comments Off on Map Maker Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Drinking well already, this fresh, lively red was grown at Rapaura and barrel-aged. Bright ruby, it is full-bodied, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, nutty and savoury notes adding complexity, and a smooth finish. $26
Comments Off on Map Maker Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Estate-grown in the Southern Valleys, this is a fresh, full-bodied wine with slightly creamy notes and vibrant, peachy, spicy, dryish flavours that linger well. $25
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Easy-drinking, ‘upfront’ style, mouthfilling and creamy-textured, with generous, peachy, slightly toasty flavours and a smooth finish. $20
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Haast Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Pale, fresh, lively wine, grown in the Wairau and Waihopai Valleys, and made with some use of barrel fermentation and lees-aging. Clearly varietal, with very good vigour and depth of pear, lychee and spice flavours, and a dryish, finely balanced…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
As a drink-young style, this is hard to beat. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and supple, with fresh, ripe cherry and plum flavours to the fore, gentle tannins and slightly savoury notes adding complexity. (From Sacred Hill). $20
Comments Off on Gunn Estate Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
From a coastal site at Te Awanga, this is a medium-bodied, slightly minerally wine with fresh acidity, lively passionfruit, apple and green capsicum flavours, and an appetisingly crisp, dry finish. Drink this year. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard, Awatere Valley red was hand-harvested and barrel-aged for a year. Ruby hued, with a hint of maturity, it has a fragrant, slightly leafy bouquet. Mouthfilling and supple, with plum and dried herb flavours, it shows…
Comments Off on Clos Marguerite Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Attractively scented, this fresh, full-bodied wine is vibrantly fruity, with pear, lychee and spice flavours and a slightly sweet, smooth, finely balanced finish. Lots of drink-young appeal. $17
Comments Off on Brancott Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This generous, easy-drinking red is deeply coloured, with mouthfilling body and strong, ripe blackcurrant/plum flavours. A fruit-driven style, with a gentle seasoning of oak and a very smooth finish, it’s enjoyable young. $17
Comments Off on Brancott Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Ruby hued, with a hint of development, this Bannockburn red was French oak-aged for well over a year. The bouquet is fragrant, with a hint of dried herbs; the palate finely textured, with cherryish, plummy flavours, very gentle tannins, and…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Reserve Earth & Sky Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still youthful, this generous red was hand-harvested at Bannockburn and matured for a year in French oak barriques (29% new). Bright ruby, it is fragrant and sturdy (14.5% alc/vol), with fresh acidity woven through its vibrant cherry, plum and spice…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still unfolding, this organically certified red was hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and bottled unfiltered. Freshly scented, it is floral, full-bodied and supple, with strong, youthful cherry and plum flavours, oak complexity and obvious potential; open mid-2018+. $40 (UK)
Comments Off on Walnut Block Nutcracker Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Drinking well now, this is a strongly varietal, medium style with very good depth of citrusy, slightly toasty flavours, bottle-aged complexity and a lingering finish. $22
Comments Off on The Cherry Orchard Single Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Estate-grown and matured for 10 months in old oak barrels, this elegant, ‘feminine’ style of pinot noir is maturing gracefully. Plummy and cherryish, with fresh acidity, it is a strongly varietal, medium-bodied, supple red, with savoury notes adding complexity. Drink…
Comments Off on The Cherry Orchard Single Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Drinking well now, this Southern Valleys wine was matured on its yeast lees for four months. Mouthfilling and smooth, it is a ripely herbaceous style, with very good flavour depth, leesy notes adding a touch of complexity, and a slightly…
Comments Off on Ten Sisters Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Delicious young, this single-vineyard wine was matured on its yeast lees. Pale straw, it is full-bodied (14.5% alc/vol), with gentle sweetness and peachy, spicy, slightly gingery flavours, vaguely honeyed, fresh and strong. $28
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant, lively, pinot noir-based rosé, grown at Rapaura, in the Wairau Valley. Bright, light pink, with fresh, strong peach, strawberry and spice flavours, finely balanced, dryish and lingering. $23
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, this youthful red was grown at Rapaura, hand-harvested and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (25% new). Well worth cellaring, it has ripe, cherryish, plummy, slightly nutty flavours, gentle tannins, balanced acidity and very good…
Comments Off on Staete Landt State of Grace Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Hard to resist right now, this light gold dessert wine was hand-picked at 34 brix, with a noble rot infection, and partly barrel-fermented. Rich and smooth, it is seductively sweet, with strong, peachy, honeyed flavours. $24
Comments Off on Spy Valley Iced (375ml) Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing well, this deeply coloured red was matured for nine months in French oak barriques (25% new). Mouthfilling and smooth, it is ripe and savoury, with gentle tannins and strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity and harmony. Drink now-2020….
Comments Off on Sileni The Peak Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This distinctive, dry wine was hand-picked and fermented in an even split of tanks and old oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant, peachy flavours, showing good richness, balanced acidity, and the subtle oak influence giving a distinct…
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Selection Priestess Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Forward in its appeal, but still youthful, this deeply coloured red is full-bodied (15% alc/vol), with gentle tannins, strong, ripe plum and spice flavours, hints of coffee and licorice, and a seasoning of sweet oak (French and American, 40% new)….
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Selection Cut Cane Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Deeply coloured Hawke’s Bay red, mouthfilling, very fresh and smooth, with strong, ripe, plummy, slightly spicy and nutty flavours, and gentle tannins. Delicious young. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Deeply coloured, with generous, fresh berry, plum, spice and herb flavours, seasoned with sweet oak, and gentle tannins. Already drinking well. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still very youthful, this mouthfilling, tightly structured wine was grown in the Omaka Valley. Pale lemon/green, it has fresh, generous, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, good drive through the palate and a dry, lengthy finish. Best drinking 2018+. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Grown in the Southern Valleys, this is a deep ruby, full-bodied, sweet-fruited red, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of dried herbs, and good complexity. It’s still very youthful; open 2018+. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing well, this is a mouthfilling, fruit-driven, creamy-textured wine, estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels, with vibrant, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, lively, dry and smooth. Ready; no rush. $21
Comments Off on Saint Clair Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This limited release (five barrels) was fermented and lees-aged for 15 months in seasoned oak barriques. Fleshy and smoothly textured, it is mouthfilling, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, slightly spicy and nutty, a strong seasoning of oak and obvious potential;…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Barrique Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This fleshy, generous was grown in the elevated Riflemans Vineyard and barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with fresh, strong, peachy, slightly buttery and toasty flavours, and a well-rounded finish. Already approachable, it should be at its best 2018+….
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Halo Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
From mature, very low-cropped (3 tonnes/ha) vines at Kina, this is a full-bodied and generous red, drinking well now. Matured in one to two year-old French oak barriques, it is deeply coloured, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, a hint of…
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Forward in its appeal, this late-picked, medium style has a scented, slightly honeyed bouquet. Citrusy, with moderate acidity, it is full-flavoured, with a vague hint of botrytis and very good balance and depth. $23
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve Waipara Valley Riesling 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017