Georges Michel

Georges Michel 'La Reserve' 2009 Syrah Marlborough 13.5%
Diam Closure
N: Dark berries, black and white pepper, hints of leather and spice, coffee and chocolate, even a little mushroom. Plenty of oak too, but not invasive to the other bouquet attributes.

4 Stars

P: Dusty tannins followed by black berry fruits, chocolate, coffee bean and vanillin. An integrating wine that is well made and offers solid drinking enjoyment now and through 2013 - quite possibly beyond. Dry finish, medium to medium+ complexity and length. Medium to medium+ body.
A wine that will please many who try it.
4 Stars

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Merlot Cabernet Hawke's Bay 2011 13.5%
N: A relatively simple bouquet driven by dark berry fruits and plum compote suggestions. Mild oak intervention and quite gentle brown spices. Overall pretty good.

3 Stars

P: Youthful with a mix of ripe and slightly tart fruits - red and black. Medium+ acidity with medium to medium+ tannins - both dominate the palate in this young expression. Give this wine another 12 months and the right balance will show this wine off to be a little cracker. Flavors of dark berries, vanillin and light chocolate milk notes will meld into the wine as well.
A food wine just now and through to mid 2013.
3 Stars

Brick Bay

Brick Bay 'Pharos' 13%
35% Malbec, 33% Petit Verdot, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
N: Opulent and rich in both fruit and oak expression; A lot of dark berry aromas with a wild edge (Malbec), You could say there is complexity here and easily discovered.

4.5 Stars

P: Fruit, oak, fruits, dry, medium+ tannins, youthful and integrating - this is the sequence of flavors and textures from the first two assessment tastes. Basically this is still a young wine and needs further integration time. Dark berry fruit flavors with brown spices; a long finish that ends dry - as it should - balanced and rewarding. Cellar and begin drinking for enjoyment from 2013 to 2015.
4.5 Stars

Brick Bay

Brick Bay 'Martello Rock' 2009 13%
40% Malbec, 37% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc
N: Brown spices and soft dark red fruits with velvet edges; an earthy note and bottle development quality adds complexity; milk and dark chocolate with toasted barrel signatures; medium to medium+ complexity overall.

4 Stars

P: Chocolate, red and dark berry fruits; generous yet softer edged tannins are integrating well; Dry and balanced, definitely well made. For me this wine offers sound drinking now and through 2014.
4 Stars

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay 2010 13.5%
Crimson ruby appearance
N: Nettles, roasted peppers, pyranzines, tobacco and a huge whollop of black and dark red berry fruits especially blackberry, blackcurrant, dark cherry; violet floral notes mixed with roasted vanillin and wood spices. Some chocolate suggestions as well. I guess you could say there some complexity here!

4 Stars

P: Gutsy, flushed with dark berry flavors and balanced by medium+ oak influences, dried herbs, vanillin, nutty notes and a plum lift. Medium+ tannins and oak, medium to medium+ acidity, dry, balanced and well made. Cellar or drink from late 2013.
4 Stars

Villa Maria

Villa Maria Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2010 14.5%
Very bright and youthful with a purple ruby appearance
N: Plums, wild berries, raspberry and even some floral notes. Moderate oak and a youthful complexity.

3.5 Stars

P: Dry and fruity with tart red and black fruits, a plum core, medium to medium+ acidity, moderate tannins, warm. A tidy balanced wine that needs the rest of 2012 to 'settle-in' and begin to mature. Drink from mid 2013 and through 2014.
3.5 Stars

Saint Clair Family Estate

Saint Clair Family Estate 2010 Merlot Marlborough 14 %
N: An attractive fruit forward bouquet with aromas of dark plum and some black fruits, toasty oak notes with vanillin and chocolate suggestions.

3 Stars

P: Fruity, dry and generous with plums, red and black fruits, moderate, soft tannins. Balanced and well made. Drink now and through 2013.
3 Stars

Saint Clair Family Estate

Saint Clair Family Estate 2011 Pinto Noir Marlborough 13.5%
Very light ruby appearance, purple hues
N: Light and lifted bright light red fruits. Pinosity fruits of strawberry and raspberry and red cherry; then a vanillin toasted oak note - quite gentle overall.

3 Stars

P: Reflected on the palate with medium+ intensity - plenty of light red fruit flavors; the oak is very light as are the tannins. A drink now style, but will reward through 2013 as well. Dry with a medium finish.
3 Stars

Akarua 'RUA'

Akarua 'RUA' Pinot Noir 2011 Central Otago 14%
N: A very generous bouquet of the lifted, fresh and zesty light red fruits. Wild thyme laced strawberry & raspberry red fruits, undergrowth and schist. Floral notes too with a moderate oak impact and moderate complexity.

4 Stars

P: Dried herbs of thyme and sage wild and playful; generous fruits of Pinot Noir - as above - moderate+ youthful tannins that suggest 2+ years required for bottle development. Dry finish yet generous in length – balanced and well made.
4 Stars

Dancing Water

Dancing Water 'Tier Garden Vineyard' Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2010 13.5%
N: Apples, Lemon, grapefruit and crunchy asparagus to find a bouquet of this wine.

3 Stars

P: Reflects the nose with a forceful texture laced with flavours of citrus and apples. A very light herb note then into the crunchy asparagus suggestion. Finishes dry with medium+ acidity. A food wine overall, balanced and well made.
3 Stars

Floating Mountain

Floating Mountain Pinot Noir Waipara 2010 14%
N: Strawberry and raspberry laced red fruits with an almost alluvial soil under current. Cherry then kirsch and a little chocolate follow as the wine opens up. noticeable oak adds a layer of interest and complexity.

3.5 Stars

P: This is good Pinot Noir, but stands to benefit from more time integrating. At the moment a little disjointed as it is still drinking young. The fruit flavours seem a little lost against the youthful tannins, but I expect this will change – in time. The chocolates vanillin flavours remain; medium+ tannins, dry with medium+ acidity – all of which needs to settle. Overall good.
3.5 Stars

Dancing Water

Dancing Water Waipara Pinot Noir 2010 14%
Tokorima Single Vineyard Expression
N: A very 'new world' bouquet - plenty of fruit, but with a gentle, soft and feminine pull; strawberry and cherry red fruits are enhanced with sweet brown spices from oak influences.

4 Stars

P: Although this wine is dry there is a juicy sweetness towards the front palate. Medium+ tannins are quite fine with – fruit (tannins) followed by oak. Overall a lush wine moderate+ finnish and length. Very easy to drink – balanced and well made - drink through 2014.
4 Stars

Charcoal Gully Estate

Charcoal Gully Estate 'Sallys Pinch' 2008 Pinot Noir Central Otago 14%

N: An integrated bouquet of oak and fruit with suggestions of an earthy undertone – and a mix of bottle development and 'Terroir' – mostly the former. Cherry laced light red fruits with a strawberry note in particular.

P: This wine dose have Pinosity - the aroma's flavours easily suggest this - quite light in body with a slightly dry feel from the tannins – settling in well. Light on complexity, its sound food wine choice - drink now and through the first half of 2013.

Flying Mouton

Flying Mouton Hawke's Bay Pinot Noir Single Estate vineyard 2009 14%
N: With some bottle aged now present in this wine it still displays and integrating yet lively fruit appeal; light red fruits typical to Pinot Noir with a red apple skin edge, red floral's and a touch of brown baking spices.

4.5 Stars

P: Does reflect the nose and has an even better palate feel and completeness then the 4 stars and in New Zealand silver first reflected. Balanced and dry with flavours of red fruits, moderate oak and tannins, a light and silky note and gentle warm finish. Drinking very well now and through 2013.
4.5 Stars

Mission Estate Winery 2011 Hawke's Bay Syrah  2011 12.5% 500 ml bottle
N:  Quite fruity wine with a mix of black and red fruits; black cherry, dark plum, hints of blackberry and blueberry, lightly spiced, simple complexity.

3.5 Stars

P: Generous and quite lush fruits with flavours that reflect the nose plus a Cotes du Rhone feel. Dry with medium tannins, a drink now or cellar for 2 to 3 years style.
In a fancy new 500 ml bottle I would still expect to enjoy this wine through 2013 and perhaps beyond. As always with Mission Estate wines balanced and well made. 3.5 Stars

Chard Farm

Chard Farm 2010 Pinot Noir River Run Central Otago
N: A masculine edged bouquet with dried thyme, rock then spiced oak suggestions. Cherry laced red fruit aromas. Moderate complexity with a Central Otago signature of undergrowth.

4 Stars

P: Quite a juicy palate with the cherry fruit flavours showing first in a balanced structure of medium+ acidity, medium tannins (a touch drier than expected) but still fine overall – just means a food wine for me. Medium to medium+ length and finish. Overall balanced and well made.
4 Stars

Chard Farm

Chard Farm 2010 Mata-Au Pinot Noir 13.5% Central Otago
N: Delightfully sweet lifted fruit aromas of strawberry and other red fruits; a 'Terroir' signature of clay, rock and alluvial deposits at complexity, noticeable oak with a vanillin and brown spice edge.

4.5 Stars

P: Reflects what the nose suggests with a lush fruit textures and very juicy. medium+ acidity balances the fruit flavours and very fine approachable tannins, the alcohol adds a layer of richness with very little warmth. Dry finish with a medium+ length. A lovely wine
4.5 Stars

Rocky Point

Rocky Point 2011 Pinot Noir Central Otago 14%
N: Something for everyone who likes Pinot Noir: A tease of complexity, a whip of fresh ripe red fruits and kiss a gentle feminine - allure. Very little oak noticeable with such a bold bouquet of fruits.

4 Stars

P: Dry, medium bodied, medium+ acidity with medium+ tannins – fine, but very noticeable in power and presence. Red fruit flavours with oak spice is and tannins add up to a wine that will indeed please many. Balanced and well made with medium+ length and finish.
4 Stars

2 Degrees

2° Two Degrees Pinot Noir 2009 Central Otago14.5%

N: A rather enticing bouquet with feminine and floral allure and light, almost lush red fruit suggestions– sweet cherry, strawberry, plumped cranberry, moderate complexity and a gentle oak spice.

4 Stars

P: Despite the 14.5% alcohol the wine has found balance and formidable structure. A wine with power and poise. Red fruits return, a gain a gentle oak layer, medium to medium+ tannins – quite fine. Overall a still youthful example with 2 to 3 years development time ahead.

4 Stars

ARA

ARA Single Estate Pinot Noir 2011 Marlborough 13.5%
Bright ruby appearance with a delicate pink rim
N: An abundance of light red fruit aromas– Cranberry first then cherry and plum. Youthful to match the vintage. Moderate spice suggestions and a relatively simple complexity.

3 Stars

P: Reflects the nose with crisp red fruit flavours Cranberry, Raspberry and Plum. Moderate oak, medium+ acidity, balanced yet youthful with moderate length and finish.
3 Stars

Spy Valley

Spy Valley 'Envoy' Pinot Noir 2010  14.5%
N: An intense bouquet of New World fruits including dark cherry, Raspberry and a little plum all laced with brown spice suggestions from barrel fermentation and ageing in oak. Moderate complexity, it youthful and very new-worldly

4.5 Stars

P: Dry and firm with youthful fine tannins (mostly fine from skin contact). The oak is not far behind adding complexity and hints of brown spices. A youthful plum list reminds me this wine is still in development and will age for a further 3 to 6 years if not more.
4.5 Stars

Amisfield

Amisfield Pinot Gris 2011 Central Otago 12.9%
N: A very youthful looking wine with green and pale straw hues. A bouquet of the ripe green pear, tinned pear segments, red and yellow Apple and a layer of the white spice. Fruity, lush and youthful overall.

4.5 Stars

P: Off dry to begin with then slowly becomes drier. Medium+ acidity, a light creamy texture and flavours that reflect the nose with pear skin and various white fleshed fruit flavours. Medium + length with a gentle oak spice finish and a dry citrus lift. Overall a delightful example.
4.5 Stars

Flying Sheep

Flying Sheep Hawke's Bay Gewurztraminer 2010 Single Estate 14.5%
N: Highly aromatic and very varietal with a big perfumed nose of Spring Flowers and Roses, Turkish delight, nougat and peach. A parfait amour and talcum powder edge as well.

4.5 Stars

P: Dry with medium+ acidity and all of the flavours described above  especially peach and nougat. Medium+ length, balanced and well made. A lovely wine with pork belly or duck confit.
4.5 Stars

Mission Estate

Mission Estate Winery 2011 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 13%
N: Herbaceous, tropical, zesty and very fruit forward, varietal and distinctive. Sweet basil.

3.5 Stars

P: Reflects the herbaceous and tropical aromas along with the flavours of peach, pineapple, gooseberry, apple and fresh herbs. Medium++ acidity – juicy. Light weight and refreshing with a citrus lemon finish. Try overall with a medium length, balanced and well made.
3.5 Stars

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2010 13.5%
Distinctive golden hue and day bright appearance
N: Developed and integrated bouquet – roasted peach, nectarine and popcorn oak. A buttery edge.

3 Stars

P: Reflects the developed and integrated bouquet the nose first suggested with  a toasty vanillin and roasted stone fruit flavours - the wine is balanced by medium acidity. A dry wine with food match in mind to meet the creamy oak flavours and moderate+ weight. Moderate length and finish – overall sound example
3 Stars

Osawa Wines

Osawa Wines Prestige Collection Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2010 14.5%
N: Quite a bold bouquet with a large slice of fruit and oak competing for attention. For me the fruit noses ahead with peach, sweet apple and pear aromas followed by a fragrant vanillin oak.

5 Stars

P: Reflects what the nose suggests almost precisely – the creamy texture and weight of the wine - medium+ -  is balanced by medium to medium+ acidity and shoulders of oak. A flavourful and rich Chardonnay with a citrus edge, dry stone notes and impact on the palate. A great by the glass option to impress many. Medium+ length with medium to medium+ complexity.
5 Stars

Wither Hills

Wither Hills Chardonnay 2011 Marlborough 14%
N: Another fine example of a Marlborough Chardonnay from Wither Hills team. The emphasis is on the purity of fruit and varietal character without resting on the shoulders of oak.
Gentle complexity with a light stony undertone.

4 Stars

P: Reflects the nose well with a refreshing fruit mix of stone fruits, citrus flavours, wet stone suggestions and a mild creamy oak. Overall balanced, dry and soundly made with a moderate to moderate+ length.
4 Stars

ARA

ARA Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 13%
N: Gooseberry and nettly, herbaceous and ripe with tree and citrus fruits and a tropical note.

4 Stars

P: Equals the nose with the citrus flavours dominating, the gooseberry suggestion then returns. The herbaceous layer seems more basil like quite lifted. Balanced, dry and flavourful with high acid, median length and very well made.
4 Stars

Domain Road

Domain Road 'The Water Race' Dry Riesling 2011
N: Ripe and sweet lemon, crisp red and green apple with a light lime twist, white flowers and a soft minerality.

3.5 Stars

P: Dry, appley – green and very citrousy with a lemon skin, flesh and pith, floral notes return with a light feminine edge. Medium + pushing high acidity, dry, balanced, medium length and finish.overall  a lovely aperitif style.
3.5 Stars

Chard Farm

Chard Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
N: Clean, fresh, lightly floral, a mix of sweet pear, apple and lemon with white flower and stony mineral undertones - quite delicate.

4 Stars

P: A luscious palate feel with fresh, juicy fruits especially apple and pear, a light spice, warm edge and moderate weight with medium+ acidity. Finishes with a lemon twist. Clean, fresh, balanced and well made.
4 Stars

Serendipity

Serendipity Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 
N: A very interesting and curious mix of soil, oak, fruit and Pinosity. A fragrant dried herb, schist and sandy clay suggestions overlaid with with red Pinot fruits and light red florals.

4.5 Stars

P: Balanced and dry with flavors of dried herb - thyme, dark cherry and cranberry notes, notable oak (this is a very young wine at its core) add intensity, complexity and texture. The tannins are youthfully firm, but approchable. Medium complexity overall, balanced and well made.
4.5 Stars

Serendipity

Serendipity The Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011 Central Otago
N: Plenty of varietal aromas of Asian pear, apple and white peach with a light citrus edge and a gentle white spice. Very attractive on the nose with moderate complexity.

4 Stars

P: With a focus on texture and balance (a Carol Bunn specialty) this wine ticks all the boxes for a fine example of 'new wave' Pinot Gris' in New Zealand. Just dry on the finish with a sweet edge to the pear flavors. Medium+ acid and length. Balanced and well made.
4 Stars

Villa Maria

Villa Maria Taylor's Pass Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2007
Nose: A remarkably youthful bouquet at first then a complexity begins to unfurl showing a fresh citrus and stone fruits mix that with 5 years bottle development is also showing integration, depth and complexity. This is also true of the oak signature adding further complexity and charm.

4 Stars

Palate:Dry with a sweet vanillin peach, apple and citrus laden package of flavors; medium to medium+ acidity, balanced and almost unnoticeable alcohol; medium+ length and finish that reflects a 'wild' ferment note and lees note. Overall a delicious wine.
4.5 Stars

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Reserve Merlot Malbec 2008 Hawke's Bay 
N: No shortage of fruit aromas in this still youthful and lifted wine. The aromas are not intense though, yet display 'typical' attributes of both Merlot (plums: Doris and cooked) and Malbec (Keri-berry and a little cooked blue-berry). A mix of new and older oak suggestions.

3.5 Stars

P: Dry, warmish at first and a pleasant and approachable palate with moderate tannin impact, mild complexity, medium acidity and a medium to medium+ finish. Balanced and as always a well crafted wine.
3.5 Stars

Craggy Range

Craggy Range Kidnappers Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 Hawke's Bay
N: Quite a gentle bouquet with a blend of stone fruit (slightly under-ripe) and citrus suggestions (lemon and grape fruit); These are followed by an oak presence also mild, gentle and in keeping with the fruit strengths. The oak is also beginning to marry well to the wine's bouquet; a touch of spice.

4.5 Stars

P: Dry and leanish in body (not a negative) which labels this wine as New New World and akin to an Old World Chablis-esque partner than a 'Kiwi', 'bolder' more obvious oak driven style. The wine has just 8% New French oak influence and just 5 months contact - which allows the wine to show its tension and poise on the palate. The cooler climate site registers as well with a rewarding example destined to age for another 3-5 years.
4.5 Stars

Felton Road

Felton Road Bannockburn Riesling 2010 Central Otago
N: A lush and full bouquet of citrus and tree fruits with Asian pear, apricot stone and sweet white flowers; then a citrus peel and cold stone under-currant of terroir and a vineyard link.

4.5 Stars

P: Off-dry with immediate and noticeable residual sugar balanced by high acidity; Lemonade, citrus peel, crisp apple and a seamless Riesling flow across the palate. Med++ length, balanced and well made.
A delightful wine - serve well chilled as an aperitif (not something I would readily recommend) or not so chilled with light, fresh and obviously sweet starters. (9% abv)
4.5 Stars