Matawhero Gisborne Pinot Gris 2011 12.8%
N: Varietal notes of late harvest pear and golden delicious apple, hints of honey and honey-suckle, a dash of white pepper and pot-pouri.
P: A gentle fruit expression with the apple and pear tree fruits dominating; knocking on the door of medium with some residaul sugar balanced by medium+ acidity. A very approachable drink now style, medium finish and balanced.
3 Stars
Jackson Estate 'Stich' Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough 13%
N: Juicy and fleshy Sauvignon Blanc aromas with sweet peach and pineapple, gooseberry, red apple, citrus and sweet herb. Overall an attractive and appealing fruit expression.
P: Reflects the nose with a luscious and densely fruit sweet flavors including meyer lemon and apple, gooseberry and light tropical notes. High acidity balances the sweet edged fruit; medium+ length, juicy and refreshing finish; balanced and well-made.
4 Stars
Mt Beautiful Cheviot Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010 14%
N: Powerful yet slightly restrained aromas of tree fruits and tropical fruits laced with steely and stoney minerality.
P: Herbaceous and dry, steely then fruity and very crisp - a bracing wine with palate piercing acidity, crisp apple, pear, golden kiwi fruit and light tropical flavors. The finish is moderate and firm with a mineral lift at the end and a touch warm. Overall well made.
3.5 Stars
Two Rivers 'Altitude' Pinot Noir 2010
100% wild Ferment, Basket Press, 100% New Oak
Nose and Palate: Classic (for New Zealand) in many ways - lovely strawberry and cherry fruit quite intense; a fare wack of oak and concentration.
On the palate - softer sweeter fruit flavors with brown spice edges and vanilin oak; slightly warm, but a great drinking wine; the tannins while firm still in this very youthful wine are starting to loosen a little offering proise with food.
3 barrels - 100 cases produced.
5 Stars
Passage Rock Reserve Syrah 2010
Nose and Palate: Toasted raspberry, oaky, gravelly/clay like bouquet; great intensity with Medium++ complexity.
On the palate the wine is meaty and spicy with black and red fruits; reminds me of apple and blackberry pie with a crusty pastry edge; the complexity shows just enough on the palate to know that this wine is a keeper and can be enjoyed now too if decanted.
92 Points
John Forrest Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Gimblett Gravels 14%abv
Nose and Palate: Very ripe bouquet with black and red fruits, but in a very youthful frame; varietal - yes, edgy - yes, a big future - definitely! On the palate the core of fruit on the nose begins to show its power with powerful fruit and oak tannins along with some youthful acidity bring this wine together into something special. At four years of age already this wine is still a puppy and I expect will begin to relax and integrate over the 2013 season. The higher complexity potential is showing, but I further expect it to deepen and evolve.
A keeper in the darkest corner of your cellar with a showing around May 2015 probably about right.
92 Points
John Forrest Collection Syrah 2007 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 14.5%abv
Nose and Palate: Vibrant, varietal and peppery; Red and black fruits, sweet meats and fleshy fruits, damson plums, crushed violets, complex. On the palate - very youthful still - high acid, high tannins - ripe; vibrant raspberry, damsons and keri-berry flavors; Needs another two years before it makes any wine list debut; gravel undertones and complex with excellent texture and potential.
95 Points
