Saint Clair

Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block Syrah 2014 Hawke's Bay
Very ripe, very fruity, very Syrah with peppery red fruit aromas, sweet meat, vanilla, blackberry and ripe raspberry fruit suggestions; overall fragrant and inviting. On the palate - dry, velvet textures with fine tannins, medium+ acidity and loads of red fruit flavours; balanced, fresh, lively and ready to drink example. This wine will also benefit from some cellar time of 2 - 4 years.
89 Points

Framingham

Framingham Pinot Noir 2014 Marlborough
Complex bouquet of red fruits, oak , spice and mineral; some gentle floral moments laced with red apple skin and soft oak spice aromas. On the palate - vibrant, fleshy, fruity and lush - light red fruits, gentle oak spices, fine to moderate tannins with some needlie point texture, medium+ acidity, plenty of tension, some poise and persistent finish. A wine with great balance and length.
92 Points

Blackenbrook

Blackenbrook Wines Gewurztraminer 2014 Nelson
A bouquet of spices, fragrances and luscious fruit - sweet herb, exotic spice and fresh white nectarine, apple and Asian pear; overall medium+ intensity and quite floral. On the palate - just dry with plenty of ripe, fleshy fruit flavours, roses and white apricot, sweet herb and spice; a touch of ginger and stone/mineral qualities; the alcohol adds  energy and length; great balance and finish. Drink now and through 2019.
90 Points

Blackenbrook Wines Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 Nelson
Quite fragrant and fruity with a broody earthy/mineral quality: a bouquet loaded with wild red berries, ripe cranberry and red cherry aromas, some darker field mushroom and new oak combinations with vanilla and brown spice highlights. On the palate - dry, tense, youthful and loaded with wild berries and black currant flavours; plenty of acidity, alcohol and tannins add texture, tension and energy; stone, mineral and some dried spice moments add complexity and length. Overall a wine with plenty of promise, for the moment better suited to cellar for more integration. Decant for service now.
89 Points

Sacred Hill

Sacred Hill Pinot Gris 2015 Marlborough
Ripe, lush, fruity and very obviously Pinot Gris with sweet juicy pear and yellow apple scents; some white fleshed stone fruit and a whisper of tropical fruit. On the palate - just dry, very fruity, loads of contrasting alcohol and acidity - giving a fuller and richer mouth feel; just enough phenolic texture to push a light white pepper and lemon skin suggestion; balanced, well made, drink now and through 2017.
88 Points

Black Peak

Black Peak Riesling 2015 Wanaka Central Otago
Fragrant, varietal and very seductive bouquet of fresh apple, lime and mandarin; a white sugar or sweet lemon scent and moderate to intense mineral. On the palate - off dry with sweet lemon, juicy green apple and lush mandarin/tangerine flavours; plenty of contrasting acidity pushing the mineral flavour with a lengthy sweet finish. Luscious aperitif style.
91 Points

Brennan Wines

Brennan Wines Chardonnay 2014 Gibbston Valley Central Otago
Pristine and pure fruit bouquet with a medley of aromas including lemon and white peach then white flower, mineral and sulphide driven complexity, fine and obvious oak tones. On the palate - dry, firm, mineral and citrus flavours; crisp apple and peach moments add to the drive and ambitous textures; plenty of cool climate acidity, some newish oak moments and wood spice layers; the textures are an integral player on the palate, tannins inlcuded - bringing together many of the finer elements and finish.
93 Points

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant 'High Paddock' Shiraz 2013 Hunter Valley
Very pleasant bouquet with a mix of spice, ripe fruit, peppery black and red fruits and a baked clay, brown sugar sweet oak appeal. On the palate - dry, firm, fruity and with very ripe flavours of black cherry and plum, blackberry and brown sugar moments, medium tannins and moderate acidity with a dryish finish. Overall balanced and well made.
83 Points