Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, dark, Hawke’s Bay blend of merlot (66%), malbec (16%) and cabernet franc (16%), matured in oak (40% new.) Deeply coloured, with strong plum, blackcurrant and herb flavours, some savoury and funky notes, and a firmly structured finish. $55
Comments Off on Clearview Enigma 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, deeply coloured, single-vineyard Gimblett Gravels red, American oak-matured. Mouthfilling, with ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and soft tannins. Praised by one judge as “moreish”. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous red from the Gimblett Gravels, with plum, spice and nutty oak flavours, showing good complexity and harmony. Weighty, ripe and rich. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Weighty, generous red, estate-grown in the Esk Valley and French oak-matured. Savoury, with ripe plum/spice flavours, hints of licorice and tar, and good complexity and concentration. $48 (A)
Comments Off on Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bargain-priced, dark blend of merlot (64%), cabernet sauvignon (25%), malbec (10%) and cabernet franc (1%), matured for 20 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Fragrant and youthful, with strong, ripe berry, plum, spice and dried herb flavours, and a…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot/ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Powerful, fragrant, youthful red, estate-grown and matured in American oak (43% new). Deeply coloured, with red berry, plum, spice, licorice and nut flavours, gentle tannins, and excellent weight, ripeness and richness. “Lots to like”, enthused one judge. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Powerful, concentrated blend of merlot (54%) with malbec (31%), cabernet franc (10%) and cabernet sauvignon (5%), estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (40% new). Very full-bodied, with a strong surge of ripe…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot/Malbec/ Cabernet Franc 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, purple/black blend of merlot (77%) and malbec (23%). Concentrated plum and spice flavours, with a hint of licorice, a strong, sweet oak influence and a long, soft finish. Praised by one judge as “full-bored”. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Gravels and Metals Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Finely poised, savoury red, grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Deep ruby, with concentrated, ripe flavours, showing very good complexity, and the structure to age well. (One judge scored it five stars). $30
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, elegant blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, French oak-aged for 20 months. Rich blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, with savoury, earthy notes adding complexity and ripe, supple tannins. Well worth cellaring. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Built for cellaring, this classy, dark, very youthful red is concentrated and firmly structured, with rich, beautifully ripe red and black berry fruit flavours, seasoned with spicy oak. Weighty, dense and complex, with obvious potential. $50 (UK)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, youthful blend of merlot (60%), cabernet sauvignon (32%) and cabernet franc (8%), matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (15% new). Vibrantly fruity, with strong, very pure plum/spice flavours, silky tannins and a lasting finish. Finely balanced and…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, youthful blend of cabernet sauvignon (54%), merlot (42%) and cabernet franc (4%), French oak-aged (50% new) for 18 months. Strong plum, spice and herb flavours, with firm, slightly drying tannins. $85
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Helmsman 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Boldly coloured blend of cabernet sauvignon (84%) and merlot (16%), partly American oak-aged. Concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, with a firm finish. Fresh and youthful. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, supple Gimblett Gravels blend. Elegant, medium to full-bodied style with ripe berry, plum and spice flavours, tightly structured and youthful. $37
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Cabernet Merlot Franc 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, concentrated blend of cabernet sauvignon (71%) and merlot (29%), American oak-aged (50% new). Slightly green-edged, but weighty, ripe and rich, with impressive density and length. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bold, youthful, Hawke’s Bay blend of cabernet sauvignon (73%), merlot (21%) and malbec (6%). Blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, and excellent density and structure. Well worth cellaring. $36
Comments Off on Clearview Old Olive Block 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, sturdy, concentrated blend of Gimblett Gravels cabernet sauvignon, malbec and merlot. Rich array of blackcurrant, plum, spice and herb flavours, sweet-fruited and tightly structured, with a lingering finish. $75 (A)
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, dense blend of cabernet sauvignon (75%) and merlot (25%), matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (40% new). Highly concentrated, with pure blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing lovely weight, ripeness and structure. Full of cellaring potential. $50…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, highly concentrated red, estate-grown in the Omahu Gravels vineyard and matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (50% new). Rich blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, with the delights of ripe, sweet fruit, firm, structured tannins and a lasting…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fully dry style, made with some use of oak. Mouthfilling and smooth, with ripe stonefruit and spice flavours, a touch of complexity and good freshness and length. $26 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Rich, creamy textured, fully barrel-fermented wine, weighty and complex. Light yellow, with concentrated, ripe apricot and spice flavours, showing excellent depth and harmony, gentle acidity, slight toastiness and a well-rounded, dryish finish. $25
Comments Off on Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Slightly smoky, barrel-fermented wine (French, 70% new), with youthful, pale lemon/green colour. Citrusy and sweetly oaked, with a tightly structured finish. Worth cellaring. $33
Comments Off on Tiki Koro Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fleshy, flavoursome wine, estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-fermented (25% new). Weighty and sweet-fruited, with ripe, citrusy, peachy flavours and a well-rounded finish. $26 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Alpha Domus First Solo Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh and finely balanced, with strong, grapefruit-like flavours and a subtle seasoning of oak (French, 40% new). Elegant style, with very good vigour and depth. $23
Comments Off on Tiki Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Powerful, rich style, fermented in French oak casks (40% new) and given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. Pale gold, with sweet-fruit flavours, a strong seasoning of toasty oak and a creamy-textured, lengthy finish. $39 (UK)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Swamp Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, estate-grown, Gimblett Gravels wine. Vibrant, ripe, grapefruit-like flavours to the fore, with subtle mealy notes and well-integrated oak adding complexity, lively acidity and good harmony. $37
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Rich, creamy style, grown at Maraekakaho. Fragrant, mealy bouquet, showing a hint of maturity. Softly textured, with a long, full palate. Praised by one judge as “very tasty!” $85
Comments Off on Osawa Winemakers Collection Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, tightly structured wine with vibrant, ripe fruit and toasty oak aromas, showing good complexity. Minerally, slightly flinty palate, with crisp, citrusy flavours, a hint of nuts and a long, refined finish. $41
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fine, elegant style, weighty, with a slightly smoky bouquet and fresh, vibrant peach and grapefruit flavours. Tightly structured, with a long finish. Youthful wine, well worth cellaring. $40 (A)
Comments Off on Crossroads Winemakers Collection Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fleshy, rich wine, hand-picked and barrel-fermented (45% new). Weighty and well-rounded, with concentrated, citrusy, slightly spicy and nutty flavours, showing excellent complexity and depth. $30
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Very fresh, vivacious blend of riesling, flora and gewürztraminer, grown at altitude in Central Hawke’s Bay, barrel-fermented, oak-aged for nine months and then carbonated. Aromatic and slightly sweet, with strong, lively, limey, zingy flavours. $22
Comments Off on Junction Persistence 2014 / 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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