Posted: April 19, 2017
Lots of oak tending to overpower the fruit but gives the wine texture. Nice bottle age developing. 3-5
Comments Off on Palmer Reserve Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015 / 0 View / April 19, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Enjoyable young, this full-bodied, well-rounded wine was given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. The bouquet is creamy; the palate peachy, slightly nutty and buttery, in a fresh, moderately complex style, ready to roll. $23 (US)
Comments Off on Tiki Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Enjoyable young, this is a ruby hued, freshly scented red, with ripe cherry/plum flavours, spicy and nutty notes adding a touch of complexity, gentle tannins and a smooth finish. $25
Comments Off on The Last Shepherd Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Priced right, this vibrantly fruity and supple, medium-bodied red has youthful plum/spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and satisfying depth. Best drinking mid-2017+. (From Sileni). $19 (A)
Comments Off on Satyr Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Weighty and sweet-fruited, this ruby-hued red is full-bodied, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a smooth finish. Best drinking 2017+. Certified organic. $29 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Walnut Block Collectables Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Priced right, this is a youthful, ruby-hued red, mouthfilling and supple, with fresh, ripe plum, red berry and spice flavours, showing very good depth. Enjoyable young, it should be at its best mid-2017+. $27
Comments Off on Toi Toi Clutha Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This crisp, medium-bodied, freshly aromatic wine was estate-grown at Te Awanga. Showing a touch of bottle-aged complexity, it is strongly varietal, with ripely herbaceous flavours and a dry, lengthy finish. $22
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, mouthfilling and supple, this North Canterbury wine was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for a year in French oak casks. Full ruby, it is youthful, with strong, plummy, spicy flavours, gentle tannins, savoury notes adding complexity and…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh and youthful, this mouthfilling wine has a fragrant, slightly buttery bouquet. Estate-grown on the coast, hand-harvested and barrel-fermented, it has strong, ripe, peachy flavours, woven with fresh acidity, finely integrated oak, and very good depth. Best drinking mid-2017+. $25
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well now, but still developing, this is a fresh, mouthfilling wine with a fragrant, slightly spicy bouquet. It has ripe, citrusy, peachy, distinctly spicy flavours, gentle sweetness, balanced acidity and good intensity. $25
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This youthful, graceful red is a single-vineyard wine, grown at Bannockburn. Ruby hued, it is mouthfilling and supple, with very good depth of vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, and savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking 2018+. $39
Comments Off on Black Quail Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This powerful, ageworthy red was hand-picked and matured in French oak casks (25% new). Deeply coloured, it is fragrant and mouthfilling (14.5% alc/vol), with concentrated, ripe plum and spice flavours, still very youthful, and excellent depth, complexity and harmony. Best…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Waipara Valley Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Already drinking well, this youthful, finely textured Northland wine was fermented in French oak barriques (30 per cent new) and given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. Fragrant, it is slightly creamy and well-rounded, with vibrant, peachy, citrusy, nutty flavours, smoky…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Black Rock Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant and ageworthy, this estate-grown, Te Awanga wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barriques (25 per cent new). Light lemon/green, with a fragrant, slightly nutty bouquet, it is weighty, with vibrant grapefruit and peach flavours,…
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Ruby hued, with fresh, ripe, sweet-fruit flavours, a hint of herbs, and toasty, biscuity oak adding complexity. $27
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Ruby hued, with rich, ripe flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, some earthy complexity and a finely textured finish. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Master Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, with strong cherry, plum, dried herb and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, and a smooth finish. Savoury, with good weight and length. $28
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Halo Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light ruby, supple red with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs and gentle tannins. Fresh and youthful, with good length. $20
Comments Off on Lake Chalice Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Aromatic, fresh and youthful, with a bright ruby hue, good depth of cherry, plum and spice flavours and well-integrated oak. $23 (US)
Comments Off on Goldwater Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, ruby hued red with vibrant berry, spice and dried herb flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and good varietal character and length. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bright ruby, savoury, sweet-fruited red with cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good complexity, and a moderately firm, lengthy finish. $22
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, sweet-fruited wine with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours and gentle tannins. Elegant, medium-bodied, soft red with good length. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Premium Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bright ruby, easy-drinking wine with attractive cherry and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. Rich, with supple tannins. Drink now or cellar. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, ruby hued red with good weight, strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity and a finely textured finish. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctors Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Ruby hued, fresh and smooth, in a medium-bodied style with youthful, cherryish, plummy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and good length. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, deeply coloured red, estate-grown in the Southern Valleys. Rich, cherryish, plummy flavours, seasoned with smoky, spicy oak (French, 40% new), and a hint of licorice. Youthful, structured wine, well worth cellaring. $45 (A)
Comments Off on Catalina Sounds Sound of White Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full ruby, generous wine with plum, cherry and spice flavours, fine-grained tannins and a sustained finish. Elegant red, fresh, tightly structured and youthful $41 (A)
Comments Off on Vavasour Felix’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, generous, finely textured red with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, ripe and supple, and a seasoning of smoky, savoury oak adding complexity. Well worth cellaring. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, concentrated wine, nutty, savoury and supple. Powerful, with sweet fruit flavours and impressive complexity. $44
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Already delicious, this great-value wine was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley. Perfumed and deeply coloured, it is concentrated, ripe and savoury, with sweet-fruit delights and a velvety texture. All judges went straight to a five-star rating. $27 (A)
Comments Off on Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Highly fragrant and deeply coloured, with rich, ripe flavours, showing good complexity, and fine-grained tannins. Dense, sweet-fruited and layered, with obvious potential. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well in its youth, this is a smooth red with a hint of sweet oak and good depth of berryish, spicy flavour. $17
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Marlborough Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured, fleshy wine. Rich, plummy flavours, with a hint of herbs and a seasoning of sweet oak. Firmly structured, with savoury notes adding complexity. $22
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale gold, highly scented dessert wine, with fresh, intense, peachy, citrusy flavours. Sweet, crisp and gently honeyed, with lovely harmony and a long, luscious finish. (All panellists went straight to a five-star rating.) $37
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Noble Botrytis Selection (375ml) Marlborough Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Aromatic, mouthfilling and dry. Fruit-driven, with a touch of complexity from a small percentage of barrel fermentation and strong, ripely herbaceous flavours, crisp and refreshing. $18 (UK)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Exotically perfumed, weighty and fleshy, in a slightly sweet style with an oily texture and fresh, rich, peachy, spicy, gingery flavours. $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, fruit-driven style with good depth of ripe, peachy flavours, hints of oak and moderate complexity. $20
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Haast Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Medium-bodied, with good depth of ripe, peachy flavours, fresh and lively. Moderate complexity, with current-drinking appeal. $17
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Showing good complexity, this is a weighty, fleshy, well-rounded wine with mealy, nutty flavours. Described by one judge as ‘a big statement, stylistically’. $31
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, vibrant, citrusy, slightly spicy Awatere Valley wine, with a subtle toasty oak influence adding complexity. Medium-bodied, layered wine, worth cellaring. $35 (US)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Priced sharply, this mouthfilling fleshy wine was fully barrel-fermented. Fragrant, with a complex bouquet, it is tight and elegant, with ripe, generous, peachy, slightly biscuity flavours and a very harmonious finish. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Rich, generous, toasty, mealy wine with a freshly scented bouquet and plenty of oak in evidence. Already very open and expressive. $31 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh and lively, with grapefruit-like flavours to the fore. Fruit-driven, with subtle, mealy, nutty notes adding complexity and a well-rounded finish. $21
Comments Off on Saint Clair Premium Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, with rich, vibrant, sweet-fruit flavours, showing good complexity. Peachy and biscuity, in a subtle, very harmonious style. $33
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Powerful, weighty wine with generous, ripe, grapefruit-like flavours, a smoky, spicy oak influence adding complexity and a lingering finish. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, citrusy, slightly buttery and mealy wine, medium-bodied, with a subtle seasoning of oak, fresh acidity and a long finish. $24
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Rich, weighty, well-integrated wine with a fragrant, complex bouquet and concentrated, peachy, mealy flavours, finely textured, delicate and lingering. $41 (A)
Comments Off on Vavasour Anna’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, fully barrel-fermented wine, with concentrated, citrusy flavours, showing excellent texture and complexity, integrated oak (French, 30% new), and a fragrant, slightly bready and chalky bouquet. $32 (UK)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, dry style with ripe, citrusy, limey flavours and slightly toasty notes (from some barrel fermentation). $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Highly scented, Awatere Valley wine, with fresh, citrusy, slightly appley flavours, showing very good depth, racy acidity and a hint of bottle-aged toastiness. $21
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017