Posted: September 3, 2022
Freshly scented and supple, this is an attractive, drink-young style, with very good depth of vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. $25
Comments Off on Yealands Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Offering good value, this deep ruby red was aged ‘on’ French oak in stainless steel tanks. Full-bodied, it has generous, ripe plum and spice flavours, in a moderately complex style with good depth, supple tannins and lots of drink-young appeal….
Comments Off on Pa Road Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Offering very easy drinking, this partly barrel-fermented wine was lees-aged for nine months. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fresh and mouthfilling, with vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a smooth finish. Priced right. $19
Comments Off on Pa Road Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Offering good value, this ruby hued red was aged for six months in French oak barriques. Fresh, with a distinct touch of complexity, it is mouthfilling, with good depth of berryish, spicy flavours, slightly savoury notes and a moderately firm…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Priced right, this full-coloured red has fresh, berryish, spicy aromas. Mouthfilling, it has good depth of lively berry, plum and spice flavours, in a moderately complex style with some savoury notes and balanced tannins. Best drinking mid-2023+. $19
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Pale pink, this dry wine was blended from multiple varieties, grown in the Wairau Valley. It is medium-bodied, with gentle peach, strawberry and spice flavours, very fresh and lively. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2022 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Enjoyable young, this fresh, medium-bodied wine has lively pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing good depth, and a dry finish. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Enjoyable young, this is a bright ruby, mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity and supple red, with fresh, berryish, spicy flavours, a touch of complexity and good depth. $25
Comments Off on Babydoll Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This very easy-drinking wine is full-bodied, with good depth of fresh, peachy, citrusy flavours, moderate complexity and a smooth, slightly creamy finish. $18
Comments Off on Babydoll Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This highly drinkable North Canterbury red was barrel-aged for over a year. Full, bright ruby, it is full-bodied and supple, with berryish, spicy, nutty flavours, a hint of herbs, and very good complexity and depth. $32
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Syrah 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Delicious young, this full-bodied wine has a slightly creamy bouquet. Bright, light lemon/green, it has generous, vibrant, peachy flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and very good freshness and immediacy. $20
Comments Off on Yealands Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still unfolding, this organically certified red was hand-picked and French oak-matured for a year. Full, bright ruby, it is lively and supple, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, hints of tamarillos and nuts, fresh acidity and good complexity. Best…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Already very expressive, this Northland wine is a bold style. Bright, light yellow-green, it is weighty and fleshy, with generous, ripe stonefruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, and a creamy-textured finish. $28
Comments Off on Rogue Vine Debonair Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still unfolding, this generous wine was barrel-fermented (in oak barriques, hogsheads and 320-litre cigars). Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and lively, with fresh acidity and strong, youthful, peachy, citrusy, toasty flavours, showing considerable complexity. Best drinking mid-2023+. $23
Comments Off on Montford Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Offering excellent value, this Wairau Valley wine was partly barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with very good depth of ripe, peachy flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a smooth finish. Already enjoyable, it should…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Already enjoyable, this light-bodied wine is fresh and vigorous, with good intensity of citrusy, slightly appley flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness and appetising acidity. Drink now or cellar. $19
Comments Off on Lake Chalice Marlborough Riesling 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This youthful, tightly structured, estate-grown wine was picked from young vines and fermented in French oak barriques (12.5% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it has strong, lemony scents, leading into a mouthfilling wine, citrusy and peachy, with good vigour, depth and…
Comments Off on Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still very youthful, this fresh, lively wine was grown in the Wairau and Awatere valleys. Pale lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with very good depth of tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, crisp and lingering. $20 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This very youthful, crisp, single-vineyard wine was hand-harvested in the Waitaki Valley. Light lemon/green, it is tightly structured, with strong, vibrant, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, gentle sweetness, and a finely poised, lingering finish. Best drinking mid-2024+. $28 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Wild Earth North Otago Riesling 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Already enjoyable, but well worth cellaring, this regional blend of Bendigo, Bannockburn and Pisa grapes was hand-picked and matured in French oak barrels (24% new). Deep, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with generous cherry, plum, spice and…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Bright, light pink, this is a very lively, medium-bodied wine, with strong, vibrant watermelon, strawberry and spice flavours, crisp and dry. Best drinking 2023+. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Two Rivers Isle of Beauty Rosé 2022 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still very youthful, this vivacious wine was mostly handled in tanks, but a small part of the blend was fermented in concrete egg tank and clay amphora. Light lemon/green, it is highly aromatic and full-bodied, with very good intensity of…
Comments Off on Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Certified organic, this fragrant, deeply coloured red was matured for over a year in French oak casks (25% new). Full of youthful energy, it is mouthfilling and boldly fruity, with strong, ripe dark berry, plum and spice flavours, supple tannins,…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge North Canterbury Syrah 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Certified organic, this characterful wine was mostly (60%) fermented in seasoned oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with a gentle splash of sweetness and strong, vibrant peach, pear and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and complexity….
Comments Off on Terrace Edge North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Certified organic, this is a distinctly medium style of riesling. It has a scented, slightly honeyed bouquet, leading into a rich palate with strong, peachy, gently sweet flavours, moderate acidity, and a smooth, very harmonious finish. It’s already drinking well….
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Liquid Geography North Canterbury Riesling 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Maturing well, this ripely scented, hand-picked wine was fermented and lees-aged for 11 months in French cigar oak barrels (320 litres). Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with strong, tropical fruit flavours, showing good vigour and complexity, balanced…
Comments Off on te Pa Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This vibrant, youthful, medium-bodied wine is well worth cellaring. Bright, light lemon/green, it has strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, showing very good vigour, delicacy and intensity, and a crisp, off-dry finish. Best drinking 2024+. $20
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Riesling 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This youthful, fruit-packed red was hand-picked and matured for nearly a year in French oak barrels. Deep, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity, savoury notes adding complexity and a well-structured finish….
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still very youthful, this hand-harvested wine was fermented in French oak barrels (35% new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a slightly smoky bouquet, it is full-bodied, with strong, ripe, peachy flavours, showing excellent vibrancy and complexity, fresh acidity and a dry,…
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This dark, purple-flushed red is the first cabernet franc from Central Otago. Estate-grown, hand-picked and matured in old oak barrels, it was handled without sulphur, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Impressively concentrated, it is boldly fruity, with fresh, strong blackcurrant,…
Comments Off on Te Kano Land Series Northburn Central Otago Cabernet Franc 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Weighty and subtle, this partly barrel-fermented wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Northburn, in the Cromwell Basin. Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with fresh, youthful melon/lime flavours, woven with lively acidity, a distinct touch of complexity, and very good delicacy…
Comments Off on Te Kano Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Maturing very gracefully, this deep ruby red was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Northburn and Bannockburn, and matured for over a year in French oak barrels (24% new). Mouthfilling, it has strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing very good complexity,…
Comments Off on Te Kano Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Enjoyable young, but well worth cellaring, this vibrant wine was estate-grown and hand-picked at Northburn and Bannockburn, and fermented and lees-aged for nine months in oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with strong, fresh, peachy, citrusy flavours, oak…
Comments Off on Te Kano Central Otago Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Showing good aging potential, this deeply coloured red is vigorous and concentrated. Vibrantly fruity, it has strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity and fresh acidity. Best drinking 2025+. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley, this youthful, vibrant wine is mouthfilling and complex. Offering good intensity of peach and grapefruit flavours, with biscuity, mealy notes, balanced acidity and a lingering finish, it should be at its…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Estate-grown at Fairhall, south-west of Blenheim, this elegant red is fresh and vigorous. Full, bright ruby, it has strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, finely balanced oak, savoury notes adding complexity and a lingering finish. Best drinking 2024+. $38 (A)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Grown in the lower Brancott Valley, this youthful, Mosel-like wine was stop-fermented in a medium-sweet style. Light and lively, it has strong, lemony, appley flavours, showing good delicacy and vigour. Best drinking 2025+. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Marlborough Riesling 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Grown in the Southern Valleys, this very ageworthy red was French oak-matured for 10 months. Full, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, and supple tannins. Best drinking 2024+. $44
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Grown ‘predominantly’ in the Omaka Valley, this youthful wine is bright, light lemon/green, with mouthfilling body. Vibrantly fruity, it has strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, savoury and complex, and a slightly creamy finish. Best drinking mid-2023+. $38 (A)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This is one of the best Hawke’s Bay reds I’ve tasted from a Marlborough-based producer (te P?). Grown in the Gimblett Gravels, it is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (44%), cabernet franc (29%), merlot (24%) and tempranillo (3%). Full-coloured, with…
Comments Off on Montford Estate Manny Red Hawke’s Bay 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This powerful, sturdy, savoury red is still unfolding. Hand-picked from 30 year-old vines, it was matured in French oak casks (35% new). Full-coloured, it has strong, ripe plum, red berry and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice, leathery and nutty…
Comments Off on Longview Estate Winemaker’s Reserve Northland Merlot 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Drinking well from now onwards, this single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and vigorous, with very good intensity of tropical fruit flavours, a herbaceous undercurrent, a touch of…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This stylish young wine was grown in the central Wairau Valley, and fermented and matured for eight months in French oak barriques (partly new). Full-bodied, it has very good intensity of vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, gentle mealy and biscuity notes…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Designed for cellaring, this deeply coloured red was estate-grown in the Delta Vineyard, in the Southern Valleys. A bold, fruit-packed, very youthful wine, it is fresh and vigorous, with concentrated, berryish, spicy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This fragrant wine was grown ‘predominantly’ at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley, and fermented in French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is elegant and vibrantly fruity, with generous, youthful, citrusy, peachy flavours, a subtle oak influence, slightly…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Delicious young, this is a full-bodied riesling. Bright, light yellow/green, with a vaguely honeyed bouquet, it has rich peach and passionfruit flavours, in a medium style with fresh, appetising acidity, and excellent depth and harmony. $28
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2020 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
Still youthful, this hand-harvested red was matured for 10 months in seasoned oak barrels. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with fresh, strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity. Best drinking 2024+. $40
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This youthful, finely crafted red was grown at two Bannockburn sites and matured for a year in French oak barriques (24% new). Deep, bright ruby, it is deliciously mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with rich, ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Earth and Sky Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022
Posted: September 3, 2022
This distinctive, ageworthy wine was estate-grown, and fermented and lees-aged for six months in a 50/50 split of tanks and old oak casks. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, vibrantly fruity and complex, with vigorous, peachy, spicy, slightly biscuity flavours…
Comments Off on The Elder Martinborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / September 3, 2022