Church Road 'McDonald Series' Hawke's Bay Tempranillo 2013
Just opaque with deep purple and dark ruby hues.
Big bouquet of dark berry fruits, leather and toasty oak; black cherry and black berry with plum and cooked red fruits. On the palate - dry with dusty tannins and medium+ acidity; medium+ body and toasty almost smoky charred oak; the darker berry fruits flavors re-emerge with fresh and cooked flavors; quite a lot of dark baking spice and baked field mushroom flavors as well. The package overall is very good, but tasters have to like oak and earthy flavors as well as red fruits.
Food oriented example while still so young.
88 Points
Friday, 24 July 2015
Mills Reef
Mills Reef 'Elspeth' Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay Syrah 2013
Almost opaque with very dark ruby and purple hues.
Very fresh, fruity and forward bouquet with sweet, ripe black red berry fruit aromas - blackcurrant, raspberry and mulberry suggestions, lots of sweet vanilla scented oak with a medium+ toasty layer, red rose and mild white pepper. On the palate - dry, juicy, fruity and lush; plenty of fresh raspy berry fruit flavors, medium+ tannins with fine to fury textures, medium oak levels and medium toasty flavors.The pepper idea is quite mild but still present; very drinkable example with a strong finish, balanced and well made.
90 Points
Almost opaque with very dark ruby and purple hues.
Very fresh, fruity and forward bouquet with sweet, ripe black red berry fruit aromas - blackcurrant, raspberry and mulberry suggestions, lots of sweet vanilla scented oak with a medium+ toasty layer, red rose and mild white pepper. On the palate - dry, juicy, fruity and lush; plenty of fresh raspy berry fruit flavors, medium+ tannins with fine to fury textures, medium oak levels and medium toasty flavors.The pepper idea is quite mild but still present; very drinkable example with a strong finish, balanced and well made.
90 Points
Stonecroft
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay 'Serine' Syrah 2013
Opaque with dark ruby and purple hues.
Bold bouquet of black berry fruits - blackcurrant blackberry and blueberry; smoky woody tones add breadth with mild black pepper and light compote notes adding further complexity. On the palate - very dry with lots of tannin action and medium+ acidity pushing the texture message; plenty of fruit concentration to contrast these attributes with the oak and toasty notes adding richness and muscle.
Not for the faint of heart this is a big wine with time on its side.
Enjoy with food, decant for at least an hour before service or cellar for 2 more years.
89 Points
Opaque with dark ruby and purple hues.
Bold bouquet of black berry fruits - blackcurrant blackberry and blueberry; smoky woody tones add breadth with mild black pepper and light compote notes adding further complexity. On the palate - very dry with lots of tannin action and medium+ acidity pushing the texture message; plenty of fruit concentration to contrast these attributes with the oak and toasty notes adding richness and muscle.
Not for the faint of heart this is a big wine with time on its side.
Enjoy with food, decant for at least an hour before service or cellar for 2 more years.
89 Points
Richmond Plains
Richmond Plains Nelson Pinot Noir 2013
Quite a light raspberry and cherry hued appearance - very bright.
Fragrant, almost ethereal bouquet of red flowers and light red fruits - crushed rose petal and stony soils, soft red cherry and strawberry suggestions. Overall very fragrant and alluring - That's what Pinot Noir is all about.
On the palate - dry, light, floral and fruity. The mix of light red fruits and floral moments mentioned above return on the palate, a light stony and crushed rock mineral layer adds complexity and depth. Light on tannin, light on weight, light on oak - a softly softly approach - though the more you taste it the more, I am sure, you will like it. Lovely medium+ finish.
89 Points
Quite a light raspberry and cherry hued appearance - very bright.
Fragrant, almost ethereal bouquet of red flowers and light red fruits - crushed rose petal and stony soils, soft red cherry and strawberry suggestions. Overall very fragrant and alluring - That's what Pinot Noir is all about.
On the palate - dry, light, floral and fruity. The mix of light red fruits and floral moments mentioned above return on the palate, a light stony and crushed rock mineral layer adds complexity and depth. Light on tannin, light on weight, light on oak - a softly softly approach - though the more you taste it the more, I am sure, you will like it. Lovely medium+ finish.
89 Points
Villa Maria
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Pungent, powerful, fruity and forward bouquet of everything that Marlborough SB is famous for: waves of tropical fruit, fresh cut herbs and lemon, green apple, white flowers and wet stones. On the palate - just dry with a nudge of sweetness followed by crisp fresh and very fruity flavors of tree and tropical fruit laced with citrus. Not a complex wine, but classic, punchy and packed with flavor.
89 Points
Pungent, powerful, fruity and forward bouquet of everything that Marlborough SB is famous for: waves of tropical fruit, fresh cut herbs and lemon, green apple, white flowers and wet stones. On the palate - just dry with a nudge of sweetness followed by crisp fresh and very fruity flavors of tree and tropical fruit laced with citrus. Not a complex wine, but classic, punchy and packed with flavor.
89 Points
Aurum
Aurum Rose Vintage 2011 Methode Traditionelle Central Otago
Fragrant, floral and attractive bouquet of light red fruits and florals - red apple, strawberry and cherry come to mind, a noticeable autolysis adds depth and a little complexity. On the palate - dry, crisp and quite flavorful with the mix of red fruits and apple/pear notes alongside the yeasty complexity there's a serious side to this wine. There's also a portion of Pinot Gris in the blend and this adds a little more juicy texture. Quite a long finish with a crisp bite. Well made and totally drinkable through 2018.
89 Points
Fragrant, floral and attractive bouquet of light red fruits and florals - red apple, strawberry and cherry come to mind, a noticeable autolysis adds depth and a little complexity. On the palate - dry, crisp and quite flavorful with the mix of red fruits and apple/pear notes alongside the yeasty complexity there's a serious side to this wine. There's also a portion of Pinot Gris in the blend and this adds a little more juicy texture. Quite a long finish with a crisp bite. Well made and totally drinkable through 2018.
89 Points
Allan Scott
Allan Scott Cecilia Brut NV Methode Traditionnelle
Mixed bouquet of ripe peachy fruits and yeast autolysis with a light honey and floral layer - overal moderately complex. On the palate - dry, crisp, fruity with a mix of grapefruit and honey, a soft yeasty complexity and light peach flavor. Drinking well right now and should be an easy choice for aperitif before food. Balanced and well made with a moderate finish.
84 Points
(Good - a solid well made wine)
Mixed bouquet of ripe peachy fruits and yeast autolysis with a light honey and floral layer - overal moderately complex. On the palate - dry, crisp, fruity with a mix of grapefruit and honey, a soft yeasty complexity and light peach flavor. Drinking well right now and should be an easy choice for aperitif before food. Balanced and well made with a moderate finish.
84 Points
(Good - a solid well made wine)
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