Brick Bay

Brick Bay Matakana 'Martello Rock' 2011 
Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Complex, fruity and offering a bouquet that is different from what you might expect yet vibrant and floral. Aromas of wild red fruits, violet, a hint of chocolate and an array of wood and wood spice suggestions. On the palate - dry, medium weight, light red fruits and plum, gentle fruit spices and plenty of vanilla scented oak; medium+ body, youthful with medium+ acidity and finish. A lovely wine to savor and enjoy.
88 Points

Doctor's Flat

Doctor's Flat Pinot Noir 2013 Central Otago
Intensely ripe and complex with aromas of wild cherry, red and black cherry, plum and vibrant youthful light red fruit suggestions, youthful and quite complex. On the palate - dry, vibrant and fruity; firm acidity, plenty of fine tannins and loaded with complexity and potential. Soft dry herb moments and long finish. A lovely wine with pure pinosity.
93 Points

Black Estate

Black Estate Riesling 2014 Waipara Valley
Powerful combination of mineral, honey, ripe citrus and stone fruit aromas, wild flowers and spice, an enticing and complex bouquet overall. On the palate - juicy, gentle creamy textures from a little sugar and firm acidity; lots of ripe sweet citrus fruit flavours, honey-suckle, peach and citrus peel. Lots of energy mid palate and a lengthy finish. Actually quite delicious, but be careful of the honey sweetness levels and the medium-dry finish.
89 Points

Villa Maria

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Dry Riesling 2014 Marlborough
Classic aromas of green and red apple with citrus and white peach suggestions, a little quiet on fruit intensity overall - this is contrasted well however by the river stone mineral layer adding complexity and depth to the bouquet. On the palate - dry, firm, crisp and packed with lime, lemon and honeysuckle; there's floral and blossom flavours too. A lovely wine with impact and flavour, firm fresh appeal and lengthy finish.
90 Points

Matawhero

Matawhero Chardonnay 2014 Gisborne
Quite an intense bouquet of toasty oak laced with orchard fruits of peach and apricot, apple and a touch of quince; vanilla and sweet oak spices complete the aroma profile. On the palate - dry, creamy, plenty of oak sweetness and flavour with vanilla laced yellow fruits, a pop-corn note, overall a classically styled Chardonnay using ripe fruit and smart wine making. Perhaps just a little soapy on the finish, otherwise solid.
84 Points

Amisfield

Amisfield Pinot Gris 2014 Central Otago
Fresh, crisp, vibrant white fleshed fruits aromas - a vivacious bouquet showing off pear and apple, Asian white fruits and a touch of tropical. On the palate - fruity, crisp and flavourful with white fleshed fruit flavours laced with a touch of spice, off-dry with some sweetness so be sure you like this in Gris before you buy - I like the texture this gives with an oily layer. Balabced and well made example.
85 Points

Yealands Estate

Yealands Estate Winemakers Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Generous, fresh, youthful and vibrant red fruit s with red and black cherry, baking spice oak notes and crushed schist mineral suggestions. On the palate - firm, dry, fresh, dry and packed with Pinot flavour; fine to medium tannins and acidity, moderate+ complexity and lots of finish. great balance and fits its winemakers reserve labeling.
89 Points

Lone Goat Vineyard

Lone Goat Vineyard Canterbury Pinot Noir 2010
Bouquet shows both light red and darker red fruit aromas, bottle development characters and most importantly pinosity; brown spiced laced red fruits of dark cherry, red plum and old strawberry, medium complexity. On the palate - dry, fruity, integrated and ready - a wine that has reached its readiness for optimum drinking with finer integrated tannins, medium acidity and decent length and finish. Well made and will continue to develop for the coming 2-3 years.
84 Points

Maude Wines

Maude Wines Chardonnay Reserve 2014 Wanaka Central Otago
Toasty, creamy, nutty and focused with aromas of nectarine, peach, vanilla and oak spices; plenty of crushed stone minerals and youthful vibrancy. On the palate - generous, vibrant, fruity - packed with youthful energy, mineral and a core fruit. Mild oak tannins add texture, a chalky mineral and gentle floral layer add complexity and length, a creamy texture and light lees note add further impact.
Overall a lovely wine with charm, a touch of elegance and palate presence that Chardonnay fans will enjoy.
90 Points

Craggy Range

Craggy Range 'Block 19' Chardonnay 2014 Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay
Sleek, pristine bouquet of vanilla scented peach, pear and apple fruits; slightly forward oak yet still very youthful with wood spice and layers of new and older barrel, overall complex with an elegant charm. On the palate - delicious - with texture underpinning the white peach and tree fruit flavours, a touch of citrus peel and leesy sulphide adding complexity. youthful crunchy acidity, creamy oak layer, mild tannins and lengthy finish. 
92 Points

Pask

Pask 'Gimblett Road' Merlot 2013 Hawke's Bay
Pristine red fruit with red and black plum suggestions, light red florals of violet and rose, toasty oak and dry stone mineral. On the palate - dry, warm, fruity and loaded with plum and dark berry flavours; moderate toasty oak and some brown spice moments, medium tannins, medium+ acidity. A wine to let relax in a decanter for an hour or two before enjoying or cellar for 1-2 years first.
84 Points

Mills Reef

Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot Gimblett Gravels 2013 Hawke's Bay
Powerful concentrated bouquet of dark plum and blackberry fruits, stones, sand and sweet flowers with violet and a little jam. Dry, firm and youthful with lots of bacon spiced oak, firm youthful tannins and acidity and a long finish. A wine to collect and cellar for another 3-5 years before checking its progress.
91 Points

Saint Clair

Saint Clair Family Estate Merlot Plateau 2013 Hawke's Bay
Dark plum and dark cherry with lots of toasty oak and vanilla suggestions; some earthy baked stone suggestions and overall concentration. Dry, youthfully firm with plenty of tension and some poise; medium tannins and acidity a wine built for for  then on its own from 2017 for 2-4 years
88 Points