Zephyr

Zephyr Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011 14%

N: A youthful and lively bouquet of raspberry centred fruit, red apple skin and crisp cherry ideas. A distinctive and separate oak layer points to a wine still in development.

P: Dry, firm and youthful with medium+ acidity; fine but firm tannins and a collection of raspberry centred fruit flavours. A lovely wine that is both young to the taste and generous in its simplicity. Balanced overall and well made. 2+ years of cellar time required.

4 Stars 

Heart Of Gold

Heart of Gold Single Vineyard Chardonnay/Viognier Gisborne 2009 13.5% (Spade Oak Vineyard)

N: Lots of fruit, lots of oak and oak spice, nutty, toasty, quite rich and forward. Roasted peach and toasted nectarine fruits, plenty of vanilla, raw sugar and overwhipped cream suggestions.

P: Once on the palate the wine bursts forth with spice, power, oak, stonefruits and flavour. Medium+ acidity, a big bite of oak, medium+ to full-bodied, medium+ length and finish with medium+ complexity. Balanced and well-made. The Viognier adds to all of the above. Overall, a nice wine.

3.5 Stars

Spade Oak

Spade Oak Vineyard Voysey Chardonnay Gisborne 2011 12.5%

N: A very familiar collection of chardonnay aromas. Peaches and cream, sweet vanilla and a bite of oak. The slight cheesy note adds a layer of complexity.

P: Medium+ weight, creamy and packed with stonefruit flavours of peach, nectarine and apricot. The vanilla and other oak flavours also return adding the familiar, reliable remoinders of a well made wine. Overall a sound and balanced example with a moderate length and complexity.

3.5 Stars

Zephyr

ZephyrGewurtztraminer 2012 Marlborough 14%

N: Fragrant, floral, gently spiced and quite classical with nougat, lavender, rose and apple fruits laced with a hint of clove.

P: Off-dry, warm, lush and generous with flowers and suggestions of apple, rose and nougat. Medium+ acidity and medium weight – a very giving wine with spicy highlights and ginger finish.

4 Stars

Zephyr

Zephyr Riesling 2012 Marlborough 12.5%

N: Generous and lush with a rich mix of citrus and apple fruit suggestions; apricot and mandarin skin add layers of generosity. An off-dry aroma of sweet lemonade popsicle adds both a familiar smell and a little more complexity.

P: A striking texture with a particular focus on how the acidity captures the palate, but is forgiven by the generosity of fruit and lick of residual sugar . Sweet air, white flowers and wet stone flavours add to the length and appeal of this wine. A lovely example and great aperitif.

4.5 Stars

Mahi

Mahi Boundary Farm Sauvignon Blanc 2011 14%

N: The bouquet reflects both bottle development and the complexities this brings, a youthful varietal suggestion laced with French oak spices. Medium+ complexity and hints of lees development that reminds me of vintage Champagne.

P: I really like the point of difference this wine has: complexity, texture, and layers of fruit and herbs with oak spice highlights. Still with medium+ acidity, this wine has complexity, balance, length and finish. A must-try for fans of Sauvignon Blanc reaching different and new heights. Love it!

Warmth from the ABV only adds to the palate expression and does not distract.

5 Stars

Mahi

Mahi Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012 13.5%

N: Varietal and intense, but with floral and stony layers alongside a mix of citrus, stone,and gentle fruit suggestions. Softer mix of sweet herb notes.

P: Takes everything the nose suggests, up a level – adding fruit, intense spices – almost peppery; and with a generous palate weight. Dry, yet juicy with its fruit core. Medium length and finish. Overall, a lovely wine.

4.5 Stars

Mud House

MudHouse Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012 13%

N: A slightly softer bouquet, but with all the hallmarks of a ‘classic’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: Bright, crisp and zesty citrus fruits and a generous measure of stone and tropical fruit suggestions, a mild herbaceous edge.

P: Juicy and crisp, almost lush, with pear, citrus and riper fruit flavours; the herbaceous notes are mild yet quite obvious. Medium+ acidity and medium length, refreshing balance – well made.

4 Stars

Zephyr

Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough 13%

N: Vibrant, fresh citrus and tropical fruit immersed in a sweet, herbaceous garden. Peach, sweet lemon, basil and mango. Crisp and vivacious.

P: Vibrant , spicy, zesty and alive with crisp Marlborough fruit flavours. High acidity is tempered by a core of fruit and a whisker of residual sugar. A wine that finishes dry and with a spicy pepper note. Medium+ length, balanced, and expertly made. Very, very good.

5 Stars

Prophets rock

ProphetsRock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2007 14%

A: Red and ruby core with hints of garnet at the rim.

N: A youthful and integrating bouquet. The smell of Central Otago is very much at the core of this wine – wild thyme, schist and wild flowers followed by the Pinosity that underpins it all: a meld of cherry and raspberry fruits interwoven with the brown spices and toasty edges of oak: a seductive wine with a gentle power.

P: Every bit that the nose suggests, with a lot of texture from the tannins – quite fine yet still integrating, with velvet edges. The finish is long and seesaws between the fruit and oak messages. A lovely wine, highly recommended.

5 Stars

Mills Reef

MillsReef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay 2009 14%

N: Quite a powerful bouquet of dark berry fruits; blackberry and plum compote, blackcurrant and black cherry then a mix of new and older oak, spices, toastiness and vanilla. Medium + complexity and very youthful overall.

P: Reflects the nose with a mouthful of black fruit flavours, brown spices and the bite of medium + acid, oak and oak/fruit tannins. Dry, with some nutty features from the oak; a broad mid-palate centering on the fruit, and a longish finish. Another 3 years integration time to curb the tannins a little. Very nice.

5 Stars 90 points

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay Hawkes Bay 2011 13.5%

N:  All the hallmarks of a fine Hawke's Bay Chardonnay: vibrant and expressive stone fruit centred bouquet surrounded in sweet, lightly spiced French oak. Peaches, nectarines, vanillin, nutty butter notes and toasty edges.

P: Full-bodied, nutty, rich and full flavoured chardonnay: again, the stonefruit flavours reach out first, then the spice of oak and a bite of acidity kick in. A youthful wine overall with 2-3 years development ahead. Quite tasty on its own, but even better with equally rich cuisine (truffled bow-tie pasta with field mushrooms, and a light cream sauce)

4 Stars

Spade Oak

SpadeOak Vineyard ‘Heart of Gold’ 2011 Gruner Veltliner Gisborne 12%

N:  A fairly quiet bouquet with hints of flowers, soft pear and apple fruits and a splash of pineapple. Simple complexity.

P: A dry white wine with simple white fruit flavours; apples and pears. A light floral note and radish (Gruner) note. Moderate weight. Overall, a balanced dry white wine with a simple story to tell.

Spade Oak

Spade Oak Voysey Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2012 12.5%

N: A clean, refreshing, even zippy Marlborough expression with a ‘no holds barred’ herbaceous, citrus and tropical fruits bouquet; inviting and classic.

P: Equally vibrant with citrus (grapefruit), pineapple, apple and gooseberry flavours, highish acidity adds a fresh texture. The herbaceous and bell pepper notes come through on the finish. Balanced, just dry on the finish.

3.5 Stars

Coto De Hayas

Coto De Hayas Fagus Grenache (100%) 2009 14%

Super ripe fruits with plenty of power. Blackberry, blueberry dark plum. High oak, medium acidity, medium + tannins, balanced, dry, medium + length and complexity. Very good. 

4.5 Stars

Bodegas Campo de Borja

Bodegas Campo de Borja Aragonia Seleccion Especial 2008 (14.5%)

Garnacha

Medium + complexity with  a rich expression of fruit and oak, a lovely concentration of fruit with a sweet edge from oak fruit and complex.

5 Stars

Bodega Arogonas

Bodega Arogonas Gran Reserva 2005 

Grenache, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon. Lovely, with a complex bouquet and palate, meats, spices, black and red fruits,VA, Oak, earth. 

100 year old vines, 2011. 100% Grenache. Perfumed and rich in fruits and pure expression of fruits.

Campo De Borga

Campo De Borga Coto De Hayas Reserva 2007 13.5% TCA

Complexity is obvious with a VA note, specific sweet core of oak then fruit, Old World bouquet and flavour.

Campo De Borja

Campo De Borja Coto De Hayas Crianza 2009 13% 

Grenache 60% Tempranillo 40%

The oak aging is a key feature of the bouquet then the layers of fruit both red and black, brown spices, fine to moderate tannins, dusty and textured. Dry and balanced. Medium + length. Very good.

Campo De Borja

Campo De Borja Coto de Hayas 2011 Roble 13.5%

Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon  

The Tempranillo has a commanding layer to the bouquet, the cork and oak each add flavour.

P: Dry with spices (Tempranillo) youthful. Firm, well placed tannins, balanced with Medium + length and complexity. Darker berry fruit with strawberry and plum.

4 Stars

Excellent value wine

Don Ramon

Don Ramon Perez Juan 12.5% 2010

Campo de Borja

Grenache 75% Tempranillo 25%

Fruit bouquet seems cleaner and with a more pure fruit note; fine balance with fruit/oak, cherry, sweet note to the front palate. Sound alternative to Pinot Noir. Medium + length with some delivery. Excellent Value. 

4 Stars

Coto de Hayas

Coto de Hayas Wines

2011 Ganarcha Syrah 13.5%

Plastic cork

Plenty of plumy Grenache fruits after a lot of swirls.

Palate reflects the nose. Medium oak - Vanilla and somewhat commercial. The oak and tannins are a key feature. Dark fruits and juicy plum. Medium length. 

Castiano

Castiano 2009 Seleccion  14% 

Cepas Viejas  Monstrell/Cab Sauv

Lovely bouquet with blackberry fruits and a layer of pure fruit expression. Dark cherry mix, plenty of well placed new oak.

Palate reflects the nose -  M + tannins fine and balanced. M+ length. Very good.

4.5 Stars

Castiano

Castiano Yecla Dominio Espinal Seleccion 2009 13.5% 

A mix of fragrant light and darker red fruits with chocolate, oak, blackberry pie and intensity.

Palate reflects the nose: Firmish and dry with an equal oak fruit balance leather. Medium + length

4 Stars

Hécula

Hécula 2009 Monastrell  14% (Yecla)

Merlot-like with darker plum and smokey black fruits bouquet; dry with dusty, firming tannins.

P-N is fruity. Balanced, M-M+ length, medium complexity.

4 Stars

Molino loco

Molino loco Monastrell 2011 14% (Yecla)

Quite fruity with syrah/merlot oak, lots of dark cherry, touches of chocolate. Full flavoured with medium + tannins, ripe and balanced. Dry. Medium + length. Huge bang for buck!

4 Stars

Castiano

Castiano Rosé 2011 14% ABV

Rosé with an old world bouquet, grapefruit and peach, earthy notes. Palate better than suggested with a mix of chalk and a light lees note. Dry finish

3.5 Stars

Coto de Hayas

Coto de Hayas 2011 13.5% 

Chardonnay, Macabeo, Moscatel

A tasty wine with m/m+ body, balanced acidity with a stonefruit and light aromatic aroma plus floral intensity

3.5 Stars

Daniel Le Brun

Daniel Le Brun Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough 09 12.5%

N & P:  A fine New Zealand example - recognizable, familiar sense of place and home, serenity and intensity. A savoury edge to the autolysis adds complexity, with a floral note as well.

Delivers on the palate – this is a lovely wine with a fine mousse – not too explosive when it hits; a wine full of flavour and complexity (medium +). Balanced, with a medium plus length. Very, very nice.

5 Stars

Spade Oak

Spade Oak Blanc de Blancs (RD) Gisborne 2009 12.5%

N & P: Displays a New World bouquet of stonefruit and grapefruit followed by a mild autolysis and complexity. 

Palate matches nose with a strong chardonnay component at first with stonefruit then citrus – lemon and grapefruit – flavours. Quite an explosive bubble that  dissipates just as quickly leaving a fruit residue. Overall, very nice.

4 Stars – cork difficult to remove!

Johanneshof Cellars

Johanneshof Cellars Blanc de Blancs (RD) Marlborough 07 12.5%

N & P: A noticeable autolysis with a welcoming yeasty/bready lift; shows baked pear and apple with medium complexity.

A healthy, powerful mousse with firm and medium sized bubbles; crisp acid enhances the flavour of tree fruit and citrus. Medium length and complexity.

3.5 Stars

Johanneshof Cellars

Johanneshof Cellars Blanc de Noirs NV Marlborough 11.5%

N: Mild autolysis with apple, pear and a light strawberry suggestion. A gentle brioche note. Overall, an elegant expression.

P: Dry, with a medium power to the mousse and medium sized bubbles. The strawberry and apple notes return, as does the brioche. Medium length and finish, balanced.

3 Stars

Matawhero

Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay  2012 12.8%

N: A lovely balance between the fruit and oak influences. A gentle creamy malolactic suggestion with a toasty vanillin layer to add complexity.

P: Flavours of fresh and canned stonefruit, med + oak and acidity, a little tannin and a youthful harmony make for a very pleasant wine experience. Dry, with a medium complexity.

3.5 Stars

Jules Taylor

Jules Taylor Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 13%

N: Attractive, a little alluring & with enough complexity to make me smile. Barrel Fermented Sauvignon  is not easy to get right – it can easily be too much of one thing. This wine, however, has just enough of the finer notes: a light, leesy/sweaty/barrel layer alongside lemon, peach and gooseberry suggestions – then a ‘classic’ and necessary hay/herbaceous note.

P:  Dry and very tasty with flavour and texture working together. Flavour reflects the nose. High acidity and barrel work combination add complexity – that extra edge. Very nice with med + length.

5 Stars

Spade Oak Vineyard

Spade Oak Vineyard ‘Heart of Gold’ Albarino  Gisborne 2012 12%

N: Lots of different fruit aromas: peach, mango, pineapple, gooseberry & apple; a lemon twist and then an herbal note – or is that spice!

P: A dry wine with flavours that reflect the nose. I like the lemon and crisp apple features on the finish.  Med ++ acid, fresh, crisp and balanced. For me, best enjoyed with foods that have a summer ring about them – maybe mussels, calamari, polenta chips.

3 Stars