Posted: April 4, 2017
A good thirst quencher with some pears on the nose and subtle flavours showing pleasant varietal notes.
Comments Off on Bream Creek Vineyards Tasmania Pinot Grigio 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Lovely figgy vibrancy to the delicate nose. Quite an austere palate, beautifully balanced with excellent intensity and freshness of flavour with a great acid structure and long finish.
Comments Off on Spring Vale Salute Freycinet Coast Sparkling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Upfront, ripely flavoured red with strong, spicy flavours. Lots of sweet, ripe fruit, with some smoky, savoury notes. $25
Comments Off on Vista Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Full-flavoured, with generous, ripe, slightly spicy and toasty flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity. ‘Needs time!’, noted one judge. $54
Comments Off on Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Bright, full ruby. Generous and sweet-fruited, with youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, earthy notes adding complexity, and a finely textured, long finish. $33
Comments Off on Neudorf Tom’s Block Moutere Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Ruby hued, elegant, savoury red, with fragrant, cherry/spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a firm, lengthy finish. Best drinking 2017+. $45
Comments Off on Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Full ruby, with strong, ripe plum, spice and dried herb flavours, seasoned with smoky oak (16 months in French barriques), excellent complexity and a firm finish. $40
Comments Off on Brightwater Vineyards Lord Rutherford Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Weighty, savoury, sweet-fruited red, hand-harvested at Kina at over 24 brix and matured in French oak barriques (25% new). Fragrant and finely textured, with hints of dried herbs and good tannin support. Fine value. $25
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Pale gold, richly scented wine, hand-picked at Brightwater at 37.6 brix. Peachy and gently honeyed, with lively acidity and excellent vigour. Fruity and tightly structured, with impressive harmony and length. $33 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Seifried Winemakers Collection Sweet Agnes (375ml) Nelson Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Light gold, with beautifully rich, apricot/honey aromas and flavours. Notably concentrated, with marmalade-like notes and a lush, super-rich finish. One judge praised it as a ‘super’ wine. $39
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Encore Noble (375ml) Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Floral, citrusy, slightly sweet wine, with hints of pineapple and pepper. Two judges described it as only ‘moderately’ varietal, but drinking well now. $18 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Seifried Nelson Gruner Veltliner 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fresh, lively, robust wine (15% alc/vol), with strong, citrusy flavours seasoned with oak, a hint of butterscotch and a creamy-smooth finish. $25
Comments Off on Blackenbrook Nelson Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Pale straw, with substantial body (15% alc/vol), generous, peachy, citrusy flavours, strongly seasoned with oak (American, 43% new), considerable complexity and a creamy-smooth finish. $35
Comments Off on Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Refined, subtle wine, with pure, penetrating, citrusy flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and lovely freshness, drive and complexity. Tightly structured, intense and well worth cellaring. $36
Comments Off on Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Mouthfilling, medium style with concentrated, peachy, spicy flavours and a hint of botrytis. One judge rated it five stars. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Perfumed, zesty, very lively wine with rich, peachy, gently sweet, slightly honeyed flavours, a touch of marmalade, and a finely balanced, lasting finish. (Hand-picked with 20% noble botrytis). $20
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Liquid Geography Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, full-bodied wine, still fresh and lively, with good depth of ripe, tropical fruit flavours and minerally notes. Enjoyable now. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on The Pruner’s Reward Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This fragrant, full-bodied wine was hand-picked and handled in tanks (mostly) and barrels. It is generous, with concentrated, peachy, spicy, slightly honeyed flavours in a medium style, drinking well now. (From Manly Liquor). $20
Comments Off on De Vine Reserve Waipara Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Still very youthful, this full-coloured red is fresh and vibrantly fruity, with strong, plummy flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and a distinctly spicy finish. Best drinking mid-2017+. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This buoyantly fruity red was estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for a year in French oak hogsheads. It’s a flavoursome, fresh, plummy, spicy wine, showing some nutty, savoury complexity, with a moderately firm finish. (From Te Awa). $25
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Grown at Rapaura and matured in 900-litre barrels, this floral, ruby hued and supple red is mouthfilling, with fresh, ripe, plummy, slightly nutty flavours, showing considerable complexity and good harmony. $35 (A, US)
Comments Off on Bird Big Barrel Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Still unfolding, this sweet-fruited and savoury red was grown in the Southern Valleys and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (15% new). Ruby hued, it is floral and supple, with ripe cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity,…
Comments Off on Zephyr Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This subtle wine was estate-grown in the lower Wairau Valley, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in large oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and fleshy, with generous, ripe, citrusy flavours, a gentle seasoning of nutty oak, and a…
Comments Off on Zephyr Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Sharply priced, this fragrant blend of merlot (60%), cabernet sauvignon (32%) and cabernet franc (8%) was matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (15% new). Deeply coloured, it is rich and supple, with strong, ripe plum, spice and slight…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Still very youthful, this barrel-aged red is deeply coloured, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet. A strongly varietal wine, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours, showing excellent ripeness, depth and harmony. Priced sharply. $25
Comments Off on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This refined, ageworthy red was grown in the Southern Valleys. Bright ruby, it is very finely balanced, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, and good complexity. Drink now or cellar. $32 (A, UK,…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Already drinking well, this is a Gimblett Gravels blend of merlot (85%), cabernet sauvignon (10%) and cabernet franc (5%), matured for a year in French oak barrels. Full and bright in colour, it is fragrant and fleshy, with rich plum/spice…
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Priced sharply, this estate-grown red was matured for 15 months in French oak barriques (20 per cent new). Deeply coloured, it has a complex bouquet, leading into a rich, youthful, well-structured palate with fresh acidity and vibrant plum, spice, black…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Bargain-priced, this full-bodied, savoury Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. Deep and youthful in colour, it is fragrant and generous, with rich, ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours, a hint of dark chocolate, a subtle…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Already delicious, this floral, savoury red is fine value. Grown at Bannockburn and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (15% new), it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with strong, youthful plum, cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity, and…
Comments Off on Bannock Brae Goldfields Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This fruit-packed, single-vineyard Bendigo red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (20% new). Deep ruby, it has strong, vibrant, plum/spice flavours to the fore, a subtle seasoning of oak adding complexity, gentle tannins and loads of drink-young…
Comments Off on Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This lovely, sweet-fruited and finely textured red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (25% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it has generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, integrated oak, gentle acidity and tannins, and…
Comments Off on Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This classy red was grown at Bannockburn, matured for 10 months in French oak casks (35% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, with an enticingly fragrant bouquet, it is full-bodied, with a sense of youthful vigour and concentrated,…
Comments Off on Bannock Brae Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Good weight and depth of blackcurrant fruit with oak not playing an obvious role.
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Spicy cedary aromas with good use of oak obvious on the fleshy palate and tannins providing length.
Comments Off on Paul Mas Estate Nicole Vineyard Pezenas France Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A solid, nicely weighted and well structured wine with juicy brambly fruit, some berry notes and nice oak in the background.
Comments Off on Penfolds Koonunga Hill South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Vibrant herbal floral varietal fragrances and sweet upfront leafy berry flavours. Well made.
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Avalon Tree Fleurieu Peninsula Cabernet Tempranillo 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fine dusty/floral nose and a nicely structured palate with some good varietal characters.
Comments Off on Parson’s Paddock Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A well integrated easy drinker with intense dark floral fruit complexity to the nose and loads of bright red fruit flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Mollydooker Gigglepot McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A big thick rich jammy spicy cabernet that’s deep crimson in colour and made more in an old school style.
Comments Off on Mollydooker The Maitre D McLaren Vale Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A huge powerful wine that needs years! An intense bouquet of dark fruits and vanilla oak and a big mouthful of sweet fruit with caramelly oak and velvety tannins. 5+
Comments Off on The Blackwood Reserve Captain James Blackwood Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Big tannic wine with slight herbal blackberry fruit trying to keep up. Some boot polish notes to the nose and lovely palate texture with flavours that build along its length.
Comments Off on St Johns Brook Single Vineyard Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Ripe sweet varietal fruit integrating nicely with the toasty oak and underscored by fine tannins and good acidity. Potential! 5+
Comments Off on Optimus The Terraces Block 3 Blackwood Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Blue fruit nose; a tad jammy. Sound, medium bodied and well balanced palate. High tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Barwick Estates Black Label Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This youth needs cellaring to show its true self. Intense rich dark sweet fruit nose and tightly focused palate that’s big and dark with olive-like elements. 5+
Comments Off on Sandalford Estate Reserve Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Savory earthy nose with a lovely pine like freshness. Inky meaty palate with good tarry length.
Comments Off on Sandalford Margaret River Range Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Floral red currant bouquet with a slight herbal notes and light bodied soft spicy earthy palate.
Comments Off on Basket Range Wine Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Sweet floral lift to the nose and an oak-driven palate with ripe sweet fruit underneath.
Comments Off on Ernest Hill Wines C.E.O Hunter Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A deep crimson wine with lifted minty herbal aromas; hints of spice, earth and tar. Delicious palate, rich and tarry with seamless balance and persistence of fruit, oak and tannins.
Comments Off on Mr Riggs Outpost Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
An excellent blend; very refreshing. Cherries lift off the nose. Good level of primary fruit flavours. Obvious tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Woody Nook Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017