Posted: December 2, 2021
Ruby hued, this single-vineyard red is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with youthful, moderately concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity, and slightly savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking mid-2021+. Certified organic. $30
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Already drinking well, this single-vineyard wine is pale straw, with a fragrant, slightly biscuity bouquet. Weighty, it has ripe stone-fruit flavours, showing good complexity, balanced acidity and a slightly creamy texture. Certified organic. $25
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Organic Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Already drinking well, this is a ripely scented, sweet-fruited wine. Full-bodied, it has tropical fruit flavours, showing very good depth, fresh acidity and a dry finish. $20
Comments Off on Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Certified organic, this single-vineyard wine is weighty and dry, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing very good depth. Sweet-fruited, with balanced acidity and a fresh, lingering finish, it should be at its best mid-2021+. $25
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Designed for on-premise consumption, this classy, tightly structured, youthful wine is fresh and full-bodied, with generous, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, moderate acidity and a finely poised, dry, lingering finish. $25
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 10, 2019
An attractive, drink-young style, this medium-bodied red is vibrant and supple, with youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity and gentle tannins. Best drinking 2021+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet, this mouthfilling red has fresh, strong, berryish, spicy flavours. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for eight months in French oak barrels (25% new), it is still youthful, with very good depth,…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This refined Gimblett Gravels red was matured for over a year in French oak barriques (40% new). Dark and youthful in colour, it is mouthfilling and well-structured, with deep blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity and an inviting fragrance….
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured and mouthfilling, this fresh, vibrant red has good depth of berryish, slightly spicy flavours, savoury, nutty notes adding complexity and a smooth finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Grown in the Irongate Vineyard, this fragrant, very elegant Gimblett Gravels red is full-coloured, with excellent body and depth of berryish, spicy flavours. French oak-aged for a year, it is complex and savoury, with good cellaring potential. $35
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This powerful, very youthful red is a Gimblett Gravels blend of merlot (40%), malbec (33%) and cabernet sauvignon (27%). Deeply coloured, it is weighty, with bold, berryish, plummy, nutty flavours, fresh and concentrated, firm tannin backbone, excellent complexity and a…
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well already, this fresh, full-bodied wine is vibrantly fruity, with ripe, stonefruit flavours to the fore, good mouthfeel and texture, and a rounded finish. $20 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Finely balanced for current consumption, but also worth cellaring, this fragrant, vibrantly fruity wine has generous, ripe stonefruit flavours to the fore, a subtle seasoning of oak adding complexity, slightly buttery notes and a well-rounded finish. $23
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Fragrant and finely textured, this weighty wine has deep peach and grapefruit flavours, mealy notes adding complexity and a seamless, lingering finish. Fresh, youthful and finely poised, it’s already enjoyable, but likely to be at its best 2022+. $40 (A)
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Finely structured wine with earthy blueberry characters and light savouriness.
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Organic Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Tapenade-like savouriness to the strawberry nose. Light bodied palate with herbaceous red fruit flavours. Needs time.
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Very aromatic – smells of spicy black cherries with a delicate raspberry palate with light spicy notes.
Comments Off on Babich Winemaker’s Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well now, but still unfolding, this is a deep ruby, fragrant, medium-bodied red. Plummy and spicy, with good depth, a touch of complexity and gentle tannins, it is moderately complex and well worth cellaring to 2019-20. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Designed principally for ‘on-premise’ consumption, this deep ruby red was French oak-aged for seven months. Fresh and supple, it is medium-bodied, with vibrant berry, plum and black pepper flavours, a hint of tamarillo, and a slightly nutty, smooth finish. Enjoyable…
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This fresh, full-bodied red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for eight months. Deep ruby, it has strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A ‘forward’ vintage, it should be…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This very refined, savoury Gimblett Gravels red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (51%), merlot (27%) and malbec (22%), estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Dark and highly fragrant, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nutty oak…
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to flourish for a decade, this elegant red has deep, youthful colour. Fragrant and supple, with strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated French oak and a savoury, sustained finish, it’s a classic ‘Bordeaux-style’ red, showing impressive complexity…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Cabernet Merlot Franc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, but still unfolding, this full-coloured blend has a berryish, spicy bouquet. A fruit-driven style, it has good depth of youthful, berryish, spicy flavours, fresh and finely balanced. Best drinking 2019+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to be long-lived, this full-coloured, Gimblett Gravels red was estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Fragrant, with a warm, ripe, savoury bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, plummy, spicy, nutty flavours, showing excellent structure and complexity, and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This is a fresh, very ‘fruit-driven’ style, handled entirely in tanks. Medium to full-bodied, it has vibrant, peachy flavours, balanced acidity and lots of drink-young appeal. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still very youthful, this single-vineyard, barrel-fermented wine was estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with strong grapefruit and peach flavours, finely integrated oak adding complexity and a long finish. A very harmonious wine, it’s still a…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
Youthful purple wine with briary fruit fragrances and a riper style of palate that offers a big mouthful of sweet fruit flavours with the oak a little obvious but still in balance.
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / October 4, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
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Comments Off on Babich Black Label Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Riper, more passionfruit and red capsicum on the nose. Nice density of flavour with intensity and length. $24.95
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Cowslip Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
An opulent style with a touch of botrytis giving some Manuka honey and dried apricot aromas intertwined with citrus and green pear. Medium dry, a very fleshy succulent palate. $24.95
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Cowslip Valley Riesling 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Dark plum and raspberry aromas supported by quite a lick of cinnamon spiced oak. A more structured tannic style that would benefit from a little longer in the cellar. $39.95
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Headwaters Organic Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
An appealing, lighter bodied pinot noir, moderately concentrated with some red berry and currant fruit flavours and softish tannins underpinned by subtle oak. A dry and savoury finish. $44.95
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
An aromatic youthful wine with touches of ripe apple and pear. The palate is rich with a lovely silky texture, warming alcohol but with lively acidity keeping the wine in balance. $19.95
Comments Off on Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Bright tropical aromas with good fruit concentration and richness on a finely textured palate.
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Light malo influence here with stonefruit varietal characters, some zesty citrus notes and nicely handled oak.
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Headwaters Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Very sweet, very creamy, fleshy tropical fruit style. “Very punter friendly”, noted one judge.
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: January 12, 2018
Nice lifted fruit driven nose and well retained green melon flavours. Good acid/sugar balance.
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough, N.Z. Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / January 12, 2018
Posted: January 12, 2018
A complex, smoky bouquet with an interesting and very flavoursome sweet/sour palate.
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / January 12, 2018
Posted: November 9, 2017
An elegant bright red/purple wine with lifted herbal/cranberry-like aromas and some intriguing spicy varietal freshness to the seamless varietal palate.
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Headwaters Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Interesting perfumed, hair oil like aromas and a grippy, flavoursome, mid weight palate with a warming finish.
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely light lifted varietal characters of rhubarb and beetroot and good level of acidity.
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Simple fruity lift to the nose and light, tight palate but has some earthy complexity developing.
Comments Off on Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
A very gentle nose and a light bodied palate with mild earthy raspberry flavours.
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 29, 2017
An elegant savoury style with lovely fresh spicy varietal fruit, grainy tannins and astringent finish.
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / June 29, 2017
Posted: June 29, 2017
Deep red/purple wine. A herbal/medicinal nose and very classy palate – well rounded, rich and spicy with fleshy dark fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2014 / 0 View / June 29, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deep ruby, with cherry, plum and slight herb flavours, showing good depth and some earthy complexity.
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, full-bodied red with fresh, moderately concentrated cherry and plum flavours in a fruit-driven style with drink-young appeal.
Comments Off on Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Sturdy, with strong, ripe stonefruit, pear and spice flavours, balanced acidity and a dryish, lingering finish.
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-flavoured, with good weight, fresh, ripe melon and capsicum characters and a crisp, dry finish.
Comments Off on Babich Family Estates Headwaters Organic Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017