Posted: December 3, 2021
This youthful North Canterbury red was estate-grown, hand-picked and matured for over a year in seasoned oak barrels. Full-coloured, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with strong berry, plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and gentle tannins. Best…
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Merlot 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Deeply coloured, this single-vineyard, hand-picked, barrel-aged red has a slight lack of delicacy and finesse. However, it is boldly fruity, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, woven with fresh acidity. $35
Comments Off on Remarkable Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Estate-grown at Alexandra, this ruby-hued, single-vineyard red was matured for over a year in French oak barriques (25% new). Showing good complexity, it is sweet-fruited, with fresh acidity and moderately rich, berryish, spicy, slightly nutty flavours. Best drinking mid-2022+. $42…
Comments Off on Three Miners Warden’s Court Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Ready to roll, this single-vineyard red was matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). It has deep, mature colour, fresh acidity and strong plum/spice flavours, slightly herbal and earthy. $35
Comments Off on Remarkable Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Enjoyable young, this unoaked red is ruby hued and vibrantly fruity, with good body and depth of berryish, spicy flavours, fresh, ripe and smooth. (From Rockburn). $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Devil’s Staircase Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This single-vineyard red is released at five years old. Mature ruby, with a slightly leafy bouquet, it is medium-bodied, with very good depth of spicy, slightly nutty flavour, showing considerable complexity. Ready. $35
Comments Off on Black Stilt Waitaki Valley North Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard red was matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Ruby hued, it is fragrant, with moderately rich cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity, and ripe, supple tannins. $30
Comments Off on Remarkable Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Bargain-priced, this age-worthy Waipara red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (15-18% new). Bright ruby, it is full-bodied, with fresh acidity and plum, cherry and spice flavours, showing very good vigour and depth. Best drinking 2023+. $20…
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet, this ‘reserve’ wine was grown at three sites at Bannockburn and matured for a year in French oak barriques (25% new). Youthful but already approachable, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with concentrated, ripe,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Earth and Sky Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This graceful, finely poised red was grown at Parkburn (mostly) and Gibbston, and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (33% new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with mouthfilling body and strong cherry, plum and spice…
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still very youthful, this bold Waipara red was harvested from 20 year-old vines and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (25% new). Deep ruby, with a savoury bouquet, it is full-bodied, with fresh acidity and cherryish, plummy, slightly…
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This seductively smooth and harmonious red was estate-grown at Tarras, in the Cromwell Basin. Ruby hued, it is fragrant, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and gentle acidity. Already delicious. $43
Comments Off on Maori Point Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Well worth cellaring, this estate-grown red was hand-harvested and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (30% new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and supple, with youthful cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing very good ripeness and complexity,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Certified organic, this estate-grown red was hand-picked from 25 year-old vines and matured for nine months in French oak barrels (20% new). Weighty and sweet-fruited, it is a sturdy young wine, with generous cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This attractive North Canterbury red was matured for 10 months in seasoned oak barrels. Bright ruby, it is a refined, savoury wine, mouthfilling and supple, with youthful, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, good complexity and…
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This refined, graceful red was grown at Parkburn (85%) and Gibbston (15%), and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (33% new). Deep ruby, it is highly fragrant, mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, a…
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This very graceful red was estate-grown at Gibbston, hand-harvested and matured in French oak casks (25% new). Deep, bright ruby, it is perfumed, mouthfilling and supple, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, and…
Comments Off on Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This single-vineyard, Gibbston wine has an ‘onion skin’ colour, with hints of pink and orange. Already very expressive, it is a basically dry style, with a touch of tannin and good depth of peachy, spicy, strawberryish flavours. $28 (A)
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This pink/pale red rosé was made from pinot noir, estate-grown at Alexandra. A very easy-drinking style, it is vibrantly fruity, with berryish scents and flavours, a touch of sweetness balanced by lively acidity, and good depth. $28 (A)
Comments Off on Three Miners Rocker Box Central Otago Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This refined rosé was made from grapes hand-harvested at Gibbston. Bright pink, it is invitingly scented and full-bodied, with vibrant strawberry and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth, a hint of apricot, fresh acidity and a dry, long finish….
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This distinctive, delicious North Canterbury wine was made from late-picked, raisined berries, with 10% ‘noble rot’ infection, and slow-fermented in seasoned oak barrels. Golden, with a perfumed, spicy, gently honeyed bouquet, it is weighty, with fresh acidity and rich, peachy,…
Comments Off on Ataahua Late Harvest Waipara Gewurztraminer 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Enjoyable now, this single-vineyard wine was estate-grown at Alexandra and a small part of the blend was barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is freshly scented and full-bodied, with a sliver of sweetness and strong, vibrant pear and spice flavours. $28…
Comments Off on Three Miners Miner’s Right Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This instantly appealing wine is a blend of tank-fermented Gibbston fruit (56%) and Lowburn grapes (44%), fermented in old French oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is freshly scented and mouthfilling, with strong, lively, stone-fruit and spice flavours and a basically…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This attractively scented, full-bodied wine has with stone-fruit, pear and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth. Strongly varietal, with a sliver of sweetness and fresh acidity, it’s a very harmonious wine, for drinking now or cellaring. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still very youthful, this softly mouthfilling wine was estate-grown and hand-picked. Bright, light lemon/green, it is weighty and fleshy, with strong, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, gentle sweetness and a touch of tannin. Best drinking mid-2022+. $32
Comments Off on Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewurztraminer 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This estate-grown, richly varietal North Canterbury wine was partly oak-aged. Bright, light lemon/green, it is enticingly perfumed and weighty, with strong, ripe peach, lychee and spice flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dryish, well-rounded finish. $28
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Gewurztraminer 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Light and lively, this is a rare North Otago wine – only 900 bottles were produced. Bright, light lemon/green, with an attractively scented, lemony bouquet, it has strong, youthful, citrusy flavours, gentle sweetness and appetising acidity. Well worth cellaring. $23
Comments Off on Black Stilt Waitaki Valley Riesling 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Finely poised, this youthful, single-vineyard wine was grown at Bendigo. Light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented and medium-bodied, with strong, vigorous, lemony, peachy flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness, and fresh, tangy acidity. Well worth cellaring to 2023+. $28 (A,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
From mature vines at Bendigo, this racy, lively wine is light to medium-bodied, with a scented bouquet and penetrating, lemony, slightly appley flavours, slightly sweet and crisp. Full of youthful vigour, it’s well worth cellaring to 2023+. $30
Comments Off on Maori Point Central Otago Riesling 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Richly scented, this crisp, lively wine was estate-grown at two sites. Light lemon/green, it is still youthful, with lemony, appley flavours, showing very good intensity, firm acid spine and a long, slightly off-dry finish. Best drinking 2023+. $27 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Domain Road The Water Race Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Certified organic, this youthful, bone-dry but not austere riesling is already drinking well. Hand-picked, it was fermented and aged for seven months in old oak barriques. Attractively scented, it has strong, ripe, peachy, citrusy, vaguely toasty flavours, balanced acidity and…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Already enjoyable, this estate-grown, slightly creamy wine was hand-picked, and fermented and matured for nine months in French oak barrels (22% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with strong, vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, hints of toast and…
Comments Off on Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Compared to its stablemate (above), this EBM wine has ‘extended barrel maturation’ (18 months in seasoned oak casks). Still fairly restrained, it is weighty and lively, with generous, youthful, peachy, citrusy, mealy flavours, well-integrated oak and very good complexity. Best…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Central Otago Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still youthful, this finely balanced, organically certified wine was fermented and aged for a year in French oak barriques (13% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied and vigorous, with good intensity of ripe, stone-fruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
From vines over 25 years old at Gibbston, this is an intensely varietal, youthful, slightly austere wine. Medium-bodied, it has firm acid spine and strong, green-apple aromas and flavours, fresh and crisp. $27
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still unfolding, this estate-grown wine was hand-harvested and partly (19%) barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, with a ripely herbaceous bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with vigorous tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, showing good freshness and complexity, and a crisp, dry finish. $23…
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
A subtle, satisfying style of sauvignon blanc. Fresh and vibrantly fruity, with restrained aromas, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with ripe passionfruit/lime flavours that build well across the palate to a crisp, dry, lingering finish. $28
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Probably at its peak, this is an excellent example of Central Otago sauvignon blanc. Certified organic, it was estate-grown, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in a mix of stainless steel tanks (68%) and old oak barriques (32%). Bright, light…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021