Posted: April 5, 2017
Light-bodied, with green-edged flavours, this is a tasty, low alcohol style (9% alc/vol) with a hint of passionfruit, firm acid spine, and a touch of complexity (from some barrel fermentation.) $19 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Easy Tiger Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, crisp and lively, this carbonated sparkling is from grapes grown in the Wairau Valley and Ure Valley. Aromatic and vivacious, with ripely herbaceous flavours, it tastes just like you would expect – sauvignon blanc with bubbles. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Bubbles Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, full-bodied blend of pinot gris (87.5%) with smaller amounts of gewürztraminer, riesling, gruner veltliner and muscat. Dryish, ‘grigio’ style, with plenty of crisp, slightly spicy flavour. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Priced sharply, this barrel-fermented wine is medium-bodied, with fresh, crisp, lively, citrusy flavours to the fore, slightly peachy and toasty notes, a touch of complexity and satisfying depth. $16
Comments Off on Rossendale Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale straw, this Hawke’s Bay blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier is crisp and fruity, with citrusy, slightly buttery and toasty flavours, showing moderate complexity and good depth. $22
Comments Off on Leveret IQ Premium Brut NV Methode Traditionnelle NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well now, this light ruby red is mouthfilling (14.5% alc/vol), sweet-fruited and smooth, with ripe plum and spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $18
Comments Off on Falconhead Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Crisp, medium-bodied wine, strongly varietal, with vibrant melon, lime and green capsicum flavours. Frisky and finely balanced. $18
Comments Off on Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light pink, this merlot-based rosé is a crisp, dry style, with gentle peach, watermelon and spice flavours, showing good delicacy and depth. $23
Comments Off on Ti Point Ruby Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This pale pink, single-vineyard wine has fresh watermelon, peach and spice flavours, crisp and dry, showing very good depth. $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh and smooth, this youthful, medium to full-bodied style is clearly herbaceous, with melon, lime and green capsicum flavours and a crisp, dry finish. $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Soho Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Grown in the lower Wairau Valley, this is a herbaceous style with an aromatic, slightly nettley bouquet. Full-flavoured, with a slightly salty streak, it’s a strongly varietal wine, ready to roll. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Partly barrel-aged, this ruby-hued, moderately youthful red was grown in the Southern Valleys. Mouthfilling and smooth, it has ripe, plummy, slightly nutty flavours, gentle tannins and some savoury complexity. It’s drinking well now. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, slightly creamy-textured wine, grown in the Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley and mostly barrel-fermented. Fresh and smooth, with citrusy, slightly biscuity flavours, a hint of sweet oak, and good depth and harmony. Enjoyable now. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Partly oak-aged, this youthful, deeply coloured red was estate-grown in the Plateau Vineyard. Medium to full-bodied, it is strongly varietal, with plum, spice and black pepper aromas and flavours, fresh, vibrant and smooth. Best drinking 2017+. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
A drink now or cellaring proposition, this is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (84%) and merlot (16%), partly American oak-aged. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with very good depth of blackcurrant, herb and red berry flavours, in a generous, vibrantly fruity…
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Freshly herbaceous, strongly varietal style, medium-bodied, with crisp melon, lime and green capsicum flavours, showing very good balance, vigour and depth. $20
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This sturdy red was matured over a year in French oak barrels. Full-coloured, it has strong, ripe, plummy, slightly spicy and nutty flavours, and a firm backbone of tannin. $40
Comments Off on Peacock Sky Pure Waiheke Island Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fullish in colour, this fresh, smooth wine is like a very light Bordeaux, with youthful berry, plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and some elegance. $40
Comments Off on Peacock Sky Pure Franc Waiheke Island Cabernet Franc 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Medium to full-bodied, this fruity blend of cabernet sauvignon (85%), cabernet franc (10%) and malbec (5%) was French oak-aged for over a year. Deeply coloured, it is fresh, with plummy, spicy, slightly herbal flavours, in a clearly varietal style with…
Comments Off on Peacock Sky Waiheke Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling and supple, this youthful, deep ruby wine has plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours, showing a hint of tamarillo, and good complexity and depth. Priced right. $24
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick Falloon Block New Zealand Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
From a coastal site in Northland – well north of the Bay of the Islands – this deeply coloured red is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with good depth of fresh plum/spice flavours and a fairly firm finish. $35
Comments Off on Mahinepua Bay Shiraz 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Showing some maturity, this is a Hawke’s Bay blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. Orange hued, with a hint of apricot, it is crisp, flavoursome and dry, with berry and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a smooth,…
Comments Off on Leveret IQ Rosé NV Methode Traditionnelle NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh and full-bodied, with clearcut varietal character, this is a dryish wine with pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing good depth, and a smooth finish. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Invivo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fleshy style, grown in the Southern Valleys and blended with a small amount of chardonnay (10%). Mouthfilling, with a hint of sweetness and very good depth of ripe, peachy, slightly gingery and spicy flavours. $20
Comments Off on Gunn Estate Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, fruit-driven style, blended from merlot (83%), cabernet sauvignon (11%) and malbec (6%). Full-coloured, with generous, vibrant, plummy, slightly spicy flavours, ripe and smooth. Enjoyable young. $20
Comments Off on Gunn Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bargain-priced, this smooth, full-coloured red is a fresh, fruit-driven style, with generous, ripe, red berry and spice flavours, and hints of herbs and dark chocolate. Showing very good depth, it should be at its best 2017+. $17
Comments Off on Falconhead Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Offering lots of drink-young appeal, this is a mouthfilling, finely balanced wine with a fresh, aromatic bouquet and good depth of ripely herbaceous flavours, crisp and lively. Good value. $18 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This pale pink, medium-bodied rosé is a dryish blend of pinot noir and pinot gris. Fresh and smooth, it has lively peach, watermelon, lychee and pear flavours, showing very good delicacy and harmony. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Gently floral, dry style, with lively pear, lychee and spice flavours, lively acidity, and very good freshness, delicacy and depth. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Enjoyable young, this partly barrel-aged red is bright ruby, mouthfilling and smooth, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing some savoury complexity. Drink now or cellar. $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Barrel-fermented, this full-bodied wine has fresh acidity and generous, ripely herbal, slightly nutty flavours. It’s a distinctly cool-climate expression of sauvignon blanc, showing considerable complexity. $30
Comments Off on Bishops Head Waipara Valley Fume Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light lemon/green, this youthful, medium-bodied wine is a slightly sweet style, with good depth of ripe, citrusy, limey flavours, hints of peaches and passionfruit, fresh acidity and a tight finish. Best drinking mid-2017+. $26
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This sturdy, full-flavoured wine was grown at Bannockburn and Pisa, barrel-aged (40% new) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Still youthful, it is concentrated and savoury, with strong strawberry, spice and dried herb flavours, oak complexity and the structure to age…
Comments Off on Super Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Showing good intensity, this wine was partly barrel-fermented and made in a crisp, dry style. Mouthfilling, it has lively tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, with a touch of complexity, and a lengthy finish. Already drinking well. $19 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This dark, purple-flushed red was estate-grown in the Plateau Vineyard and French oak-aged. Mouthfilling, it has strong, plummy flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and gentle tannins, in a seductively rich, smooth style. Enjoyable now. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Sturdy, Alsace-style pinot gris (blended with 11% gewurztraminer), grown in the Southern Valleys. Fleshy, with strong, ripe, peachy, spicy flavours, gentle acidity and a dryish, rich, rounded finish. Drink now or cellar. $20
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Matured for over a year in French oak barrels, this deeply coloured, fruity red is medium to full-bodied, with strong, lively, plum and spice flavours, slightly earthy notes adding complexity, and a fairly firm finish. Best mid-2017+. $40
Comments Off on Peacock Sky Pure Waiheke Island Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Showing good potential, this youthful, 3:1 blend of merlot and malbec was French oak-aged for over a year. Deeply coloured, it has fresh, smooth, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and firm tannins. $40
Comments Off on Peacock Sky Waiheke Island Merlot Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Balanced for easy drinking, this Gladstone, Wairarapa wine is fleshy, with generous peach and grapefruit flavours, hints of passionfruit and spices, lively acidity, and lots of drink-young appeal. $22
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick New Zealand Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Grown in the Wairarapa, this deep ruby, full-bodied red has plum, cherry and spice flavours, hints of herbs and nuts, finely balanced tannins, and good ripeness and concentration. Best drinking 2018+. $34
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick New Zealand Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fleshy, ripe and rounded, this estate-grown wine is from Gladstone, in the Wairarapa. It has strong stonefruit and spice flavours, in a dryish style, inviting current drinking or cellaring. $22
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick New Zealand Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Grown in the Wairarapa, this has a fragrant, slightly buttery and nutty bouquet. The palate is vibrant, with strong, peachy, mealy, slightly toasty flavours, woven with fresh acidity, good complexity, and some potential. Best drinking mid-2017+. $26
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick New Zealand Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well now but still unfolding, this ruby hued, moderately youthful red was matured for 18 months in oak barriques (25% new). Fragrant, it has strong, ripe plum, spice and nut flavours, good tannin support and a savoury, earthy complexity….
Comments Off on Mount Brown Grand Reserve Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Offering fine value, this wine has good personality. Light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied and tangy, with strong citrus and passionfruit flavours, a hint of oranges, gentle sweetness and lively acidity. Drink now or cellar. (From Pegasus Bay). $21
Comments Off on Main Divide Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Estate-grown in Northland at a coastal site well north of the Bay of Islands, this sturdy, boldly coloured red is fresh and fruit-packed, with generous plum and spice flavours, showing good vigour and concentration. $25
Comments Off on Mahinepua Bay Chambourcin 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Still unfolding, this deeply coloured blend is rich, with generous plum, spice and nut flavours. Showing good concentration, with ripe, supple tannins and a well-rounded finish, it’s a drink-now or cellaring proposition. $22
Comments Off on Leveret Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This fresh, elegant wine offers good value. Mouthfilling and smooth, with a hint of gunflint, it is citrusy and peachy, slightly buttery and toasty, with lively acidity and good complexity and length. Drink now or cellar. $22
Comments Off on Leveret Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Certified organic, this is a mouthfilling, fleshy, soft wine, with slightly sweet, ripe flavours of lychees, peaches and spices. Richly varietal and finely textured, it’s drinking well now, with an inviting perfume. $25 (A, US)
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
From “chief winemaker Graham Norton”, Invivo’s release has a punchy, aromatic bouquet. Medium-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity, with strong, ripe melon, lime and capsicum flavours, a slightly salty streak, a vague suggestion of sweetness and a crisp, lingering finish. $20…
Comments Off on Graham Norton’s Own Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, ageworthy wine, barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Vibrant and youthful, with peachy, slightly mealy and toasty flavours, showing good complexity, and a slightly buttery, dry, lingering finish. $30
Comments Off on Bishops Head Waipara Valley Chenin Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017