Posted: September 4, 2019
Already drinking well, this impressive red is New Zealand’s southernmost tempranillo. Deeply coloured, with a fragrant bouquet, it is mouthfilling, sweet-fruited, savoury and supple, with generous, plummy, berryish flavours, a hint of herbs, and excellent depth, complexity and harmony. $45
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Tempranillo 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Probably at or near its peak, this fragrant, full-coloured red is mouthfilling, supple and savoury, with strong, plummy, spicy, nutty, slightly herbal flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $70
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Estate-grown at Gibbston, this savoury, finely poised red is drinking well now. Full-coloured, with a hint of development, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, good tannin backbone and excellent…
Comments Off on Brennan B2 Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still moderately youthful, this is an impressively fragrant, rich and complex red. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum, herb and spice flavours, savoury, nutty notes, and a long, harmonious finish. $65
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Offering easy drinking, this is a fresh and lively blend of tempranillo (70%) and zinfandel (30%). Light pink/orange, it is medium-bodied, with a sliver of sweetness, a touch of tannin, and strong, peachy, slightly spicy flavours. $40
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Rosé 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This “playful”, clearly varietal wine is mouthfilling and perfumed, with strong, vibrant, peachy, appley flavours, a splash of sweetness and lively acidity. Finely balanced, vigorous and youthful, it should be at its best 2020+. $50
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Muscat Central Otago 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Already enjoyable, this is a skilfully balanced blend of three aromatic varieties – gewürztraminer (45%), riesling (45%), and muscat (10%). Bright, light lemon/green, with a perfumed, gently spicy bouquet, it is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with a splash of sweetness…
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Trio Central Otago 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Finely poised and youthful, this estate-grown wine has an invitingly perfumed, floral, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling and fresh, it is strongly varietal, with rich, yet delicate, peachy, spicy flavours, a slightly oily texture, and obvious potential. Best drinking 2021+. $40
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A memorable mouthful, this blend of pinot gris (73%), muscat (15%) and riesling (12%) was made “following ancient winemaking traditions”, including fermentation on skins for two months in old French oak barriques. Probably at its peak now, it is highly…
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Orange Central Otago 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful young wine is full-bodied, with fresh grapefruit and peach flavours, showing good ripeness and richness. Bright, light lemon/green, with gentle sweetness and lively acidity, it’s a generous, finely balanced wine, well worth cellaring. $33
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Riesling 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Already very enjoyable, this bright, light lemon/green wine is full-bodied, with strong stonefruit and spice flavours, fresh, balanced acidity, a touch of oak-derived complexity and an off-dry finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $35
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Estate-grown, this freshly aromatic wine is full-bodied, crisp and lively, with strong peach, pear and spice flavours, appetising acidity and a dryish, finely balanced finish. Drink now or cellar. $27
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Grigio 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Full of youthful drive, this tightly structured, estate-grown wine was barrel-fermented and lees-aged. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with ripe stonefruit and toasty oak flavours, showing impressive complexity and depth, fresh acidity, and a finely balanced, lengthy finish. Best…
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: May 2, 2018
Just starting to show some bottle aged characters with the red fruit being joined by forest floor, button mushroom and tobacco leaf. A gentle, attractive pinot with a lovely silky flavour. There is a touch of tannin but very subtle;…
Comments Off on Brennan Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Highly aromatic nose with some wild thyme, cherry and plum, deliciously vivid and bright. There is a background layer of tannin and a little whole bunch contributing some stemminess but a really attractive wine. Not the biggest but beautifully poised….
Comments Off on Brennan B2 Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: September 6, 2017
This is lovely. Not overly complex but with masses of cherry and berry fruit, a touch of forest floor and dried thyme. Sweetly fruited with a very light touch of oak in the background. Accessible and joyful.
Comments Off on Brennan B2 Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
A focused, tighter style of riesling full of wet stone and mineral. High acidity runs through the palate. For those who prefer drier Rieslings.
Comments Off on Brennan Riesling 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
An appealing, lightly aromatic white; rose petal, gingerbread and honeysuckle. This isn’t a powerful wine but a very pretty, softly textured, just off dry white, uncomplicated yet with enough flavour to hold one’s interest.
Comments Off on Brennan Trio 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deep ruby, fragrant red with concentrated, ripe plum, spice, dried herb and nut flavours, woven with fresh acidity. Savoury and complex, with excellent harmony and a long finish.
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 / 0 View / June 16, 2017