Posted: April 20, 2017
Deep ruby, concentrated, very youthful red, with plummy, spicy flavours, hints of herbs and toast, and obvious potential. Rich, structured wine, with a floral, inviting bouquet. Best drinking 2019+. $30 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga Runholder Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Amber hued, with a fragrant, richly botrytised bouquet of apricots, figs and honey. Luscious, notably concentrated sweet wine with good acid spine, lovely harmony and powerful personality. ‘Yum!’, enthused one judge. $28
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Noble Martinborough Riesling (375ml) 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, medium-bodied wine, estate-grown in Northland, with lively acidity woven through strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, balanced for easy drinking. $20
Comments Off on Shipwreck Bay Flora 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Mouthfilling, fleshy and dry, with delicate aromas and fresh, ripe, slightly peachy and spicy flavours, showing good depth. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Allison Gisborne Marsanne 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Delicately scented, with good weight, generous, citrusy, slightly peachy and spicy flavours, fresh acidity and a lingering finish. Strongly varietal, highly drinkable wine, enjoyed by all judges. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV The Little Rascal Gisborne Arneis 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Weighty Wairarapa wine with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, a hint of nuts and a smooth finish. Fully dry style, with a gentle seasoning of oak. (40% barrel-fermented). $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Gently perfumed, this barrel-fermented Northland wine has melon, lemon, butterscotch and nut flavours, soft and generous. One judge scored it five stars. $32
Comments Off on Byrne Waingaro Viognier 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh and lively, with very good depth of ripe peach and nectarine flavours, balanced acidity, and nutty, toasty notes adding complexity. Elegant, youthful wine. (From Awaroa). $38
Comments Off on Waiheke Road Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Creamy-soft, upfront style with a toasty bouquet and very good depth. Generous, ripely flavoured wine, praised by one judge as ‘cuddly’. $35 (A)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This elegant wine was grown at a coastal Northland site and barrel-fermented. Mouthfilling, it is rich and complex, with concentrated, ripe, citrusy, peachy flavours, overlaid with smoky oak (French, 30% new). Enjoyed by all panellists. Drink now-2018. $40
Comments Off on The Landing Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Very elegant, youthful wine. Fragrant, full-bodied and finely poised, with generous, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours and a well-integrated, toasty, nutty oak influence. “Lovely wine”, enthused one judge. $39 (UK)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Highly fragrant, mealy, smoky bouquet. Mouthfilling and concentrated, with excellent drive through the palate, strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, toasty, biscuity nuances adding complexity, lively acidity and a poised, long finish. $37
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A nice varietal with a firm but attractive berry fruit nose and plenty of sweet varietal fruit on the front palate.
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Allotment 1010 Orange Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Rich red berry aromas and a fine, somewhat tarry, palate with elegant fruit expression across the length of the palate and a long lingering finish. Offers balanced drinking. 5+
Comments Off on Gooree Park Don Eduardo Mudgee Shiraz Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Lovely bright purple hues with a perfumed, spicy berry nose and a long, tight, tannic palate; some upfront fruit flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Vinifera Gran Tinto Organic Mudgee Shiraz Garnacha Tempranillo 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Smoky plum and berry nose with savoury black bean edges. A ripe palate bursting with dark chocolaty fruit flavours. Will improve further with more cellaring. 5+
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Iconic Barrique Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Attractive deep purple hues and fresh plum and berry aromas. Tight, complex style of palate with excellent varietal fruit. Good oak.
Comments Off on Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Griffin Rd Vineyard Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Juicy blackberry nose with Wintergreen like notes and hints of leather. Very well balanced but simple palate with bright fruit across its entire length. 5+
Comments Off on Gartelmann Jonathon Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Spicy red berry bouquet and seamlessly balanced, medium weight palate with pleasing fruit and lovely oak. Drinking well now with the best yet to come. 5+
Comments Off on Cumulus Climbing Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Very deep purple wine with promising dark berry aromas and a palate that delivers! Lots of rich berry fruit flavours, olive notes and lovely chocolaty oak. Firm on the finish.
Comments Off on Gooree Park Crowned Glory Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A lighter style with slightly ‘green’ edge. Good cabernet fruit characters and a hint of mint.
Comments Off on Tamurlaine Reserve Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A red berry bouquet and complex, still youthful, palate. Lots of cedary oak with fruit in background.
Comments Off on Ross Hill Tom & Harry Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A very well made blend but still very young needing more time to open up. Light spicy fruit and good oak. A food wine.
Comments Off on Gartelmann Phillip Alexander Mudgee Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A dark purple and typical cool climate style. Subtle plum and cherry fragrances. Tight grippy palate with concentrated fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Ross Hill Isabelle Orange Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Touch green on the nose with some peppermint touches. Solid tannins surround obvious berry fruit flavours. Well balanced. 3-5
Comments Off on Gartelmann Rylstone Mudgee Petit Verdot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A very well balanced blend with both varieties showing ‘equal billing’. Smells of plums. Lovely complexity of upfront fruit flavours with well handled oak. 3-5
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Allotment 8989 Orange Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A solid fruit driven wine – “It’s different!” Very attractive fruit aromas with hints of pomegranate and licorice. Long elegantly structured palate with delicious varietal flavours.
Comments Off on Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Griffin Road Vineyard Orange Cabernet Franc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Toasty plum aromas with smoky oak overtones. Palate is soft and elegant with light berry fruit but showing some complexity.
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Reserve Orange Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A closed nose with a pretty, soft, purple fruit palate and lovely light tannins creating an easy drinking style.
Comments Off on Gartelmann Joey Orange Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Rich plum fruit aromas with a perfumed overlay. Solid tannic palate has firm grippy fruit flavours. Great with rich meat dishes.
Comments Off on Logan Weemala Mudgee Tempranillo 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Dark purple wine; aromas of plums. A well balanced palate with pleasing structure and attractive fruit; well integrated tannins.
Comments Off on Ross Hill Dos Salchichas Orange Tempranillo 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Generous plum fruit aromas; a touch of spice. Soft in the mouth with lovely elegant fruit flavours and a long lingering finish.
Comments Off on Vinifera Organic Mudgee Graciano 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Light ruby coloured wine with sweet earthy strawberry aromas and a complex, savoury, but still youthful, palate. Lovely soft fruit flavours carry across the length of the palate.
Comments Off on Colmar Estate Block 3 Orange Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A perfumed plum bouquet and soft strawberry fruit palate with nice earthy/savoury elements and a gentle finish.
Comments Off on Logan Orange Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Spicy almost incense-like nose. Moderate palate length with light balance of earthy, savoury and fresh fruit flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Allotment 1111 Orange Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Some toasty berry fruit aromas and a pleasing lighter style palate with “No excesses”. Nice cherry fruit finish.
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Handpicked Allotment 9 Orange Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A tight young wine with nice combo of savoury, earthy, leathery and leafy characteristics. 3-5
Comments Off on Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Wallace Lane Vineyard Orange Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A powerful plum and berry bouquet with a bigger and somewhat drier, style of palate. “More salmon needed here!”
Comments Off on Dindima Orange Rosé 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A very youthful wine but showing further cellaring potential. Nose still closed. Nice tight palate.
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Allotment 168 Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Smells a little like green mangoes with oak sitting on top. Soft and rounded in the mouth with more of those mango characters.
Comments Off on Cooks Lot Allotment 3 Handpicked Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A powerful, but still very youthful, wine with plenty of soft tropical fruit aromas and flavours, chunky oak and grippy tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Colmar Estate Block 1 Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A soft, simple and delicate chardonnay with gentle tropical fruit-like varietal characters. Ready for drinking now.
Comments Off on See Saw Balance Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Attractive toffee notes to the nose and light stonefruit palate with well handled oak. More time!
Comments Off on Cassegrain Fromenteau Reserve Rylstone & Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A closed savoury style with a hint of tropical varietal fruit and some leesy notes.
Comments Off on Inner City Winemakers Vintage Orange Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Youthful fruit tones to the nose with soft, slightly subdued, flavours.
Comments Off on Coolangatta Estate Estate Grown Shoalhaven Coast Semillon 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Lifted fruit aromas with appley-like notes. Great length of fresh varietal flavours. Nice palate texture with a gentle acidic grip and a tight finish.
Comments Off on See Saw Orange Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Good varietal features on the nose and a pleasant soft fruit palate. “This one is a keeper”, commented one judge.
Comments Off on Cumulus Climbing Cool Climate Orange Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A youthful and balanced wine with plenty of potential left. A lovely ‘controlled’ mix of raspberry fruit and dark chocolaty elements. 5+
Comments Off on Logan Ridge of Tears Altitude 564M Orange Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A light uncomplicated style with some attractive berry fruit with leafy notes. A nice drink.
Comments Off on Logan Ridge of Tears Altitude 970M Orange Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Lovely plum and cherry fruit characters on the nose with delicate smoky oak notes which follows through on the soft palate. Good drinking now or cellar for years! 5+
Comments Off on Robert Stein Wines Reserve Single Vineyard Mudgee Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017