Church Road

Church Road ‘Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2014 Hawkes Bay

Bold, rich and engaging bouquet packed with aromas of baked yellow stone fruits, vanilla and other oak spices, new wood, some banana and other tropical moments, burnt butter and toasted bread. On the palate – full-bodied, richly textured and flavoured with stone fruits and wood; fine wood tannins, medium acidity, vanilla, baking spices, long finish. Drink now and through 2024.

93 Points

Moss Wood

Moss Wood ‘Wilyabrup’ Pinot Noir 2015 Margaret River, Western Australia

Fragrant and evocative bouquet with Pinosity on the nose and an engaging package of fruit, wood spice and complexity. Flavours and textures of minerality, old wood spices, fallen leaves and old rose; red cherry fruits, apple & cherry pie. Moderate tannins and medium+ acidity; Balanced, dry finish and ready. An example of Pinot Noir to engage in and explore. Drink now and through 2025.

93 Points

Amisfield

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2015 Central Otago

Toasty, smoky and fruit bouquet with the signature of Pinot Noir – red berries, cranberry, crisp new season cherry then wood spices and oak. On the palate – dry with a decent core of fruit contrasted by some new oak moments, fine tannins, youthful acidity and a synergy of texture adding complexity and length. A great example of Otago Pinot Noir that will please many fans of the style. Best drinking from late 2018 through 2028.

94 Point

Gibbston Valley

Gibbston Valley ‘Glenlee’ Pinot Noir 2016 Central Otago

Complex and engaging bouquet with aromas and flavours of fresh raspberry and crunchy red cherry, a touch of fruit spice and packed with fragrances of wood. Baking spices, a whisper of bacon (oak), red apple, a core of fruit then layers of minerality. Fresh, tension giving acidity, fine to moderate tannins the grip of a youthful and poised wine. Lengthy finish. Allow this wine to age please, it will reward.

94 Points

Millton

Millton ‘La Cote’ Pinot Noir 2016 Gisborne

Complex bouquet with layers of red fruits, red apple, silty soil and minerals with a steely and slightly savoury moment; gentle rose floral edge. On the palate – dry, textured, layered, fruity. Flavours reflect the nose with fine chalky tannins and medium+ acidity; moderate weight, great balance, judicious measure of oak, lengthy finish. Drink now and through 2028.

93 Points

Millton Te aria Vineyard Rosé 2017 Gisborne

Strawberries, red cherries and plum fragrances, rose and rose tea aromas. On the palate – crisp, fresh, fruity and lively with a youthful palate tickle, very fine tannin s and crunchy fresh acidity. Moderate length and well made. Drink now and through 2019.

89 Points

Invivo

Invivo ‘Graham Norton’s Own’ Shiraz 2015 South Australia

Dar berries, toasty layer, dark brown spices and brown sugar note; blue berry and plum fragrances with a clove edge. Just dry on the palate with flavours of chocolate, dark berries and brown spice. Mild tannins and medium+ acidity. Balanced and well-made in a drink now style. Best from now and through 2020.

86 Points

Spencer Hill

Spencer Hill ‘Lattitude 41 Small Batch’ Pinot Noir 2015 Nelson

Varietal and fruity with a decent concentration and signature of Pinot Noir showing aromas and flavours of red berries of strawberry and raspberry then some cranberry; no mistaking the signature of oak with a toasty brown spices layer. Fine to moderate tannins with an oak then fruit profile. Medium+ acidity, well-made. Drink now and through 2022.

90 Points