FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Decibel Viognier 2019, Hawke’s Bay 
  Viognier from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light yellow with a green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is intense and full with flavours of stonefruit, lemon and reminiscent of lilies, along with a subtle note of spices. Medium-full bodied, dry to taste, the palate is rounded with flavours of ripened white peaches and nectarines, an amalgam of spices and underlying fragrance of lilies. The mouthfeel is lush and oily with a good concentration of ripened stonefruit, balanced by the right amount of acidity. The pretty scent of lilies and acidity shows the classic character of Viognier. The delicate spices on the finish added interest and uplifted the finish. This is a generous Viognier with ripened flavours of stonefruit, lilies and spices on an oily and full mouthfeel. Match with spicy Thai food over the next 3-5 years. Free-run juice and hard pressing fermented separately in tanks to 13% alc. Vegan friendly. 18.5/20 pts July 2020 RRP $26
• Decibel Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Hawke’s Bay
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, straw-yellow colour. The nose is elegantly presented with fragrances of elderflower, stonefruit, lemon and lime, entwined with light honey and delicate green herbs. Medium-bodied, an amalgam of citrus fruit, lemon, lime and mandarin with its pith; melded with stonefruit, light honey, florals and subtle spices. The palate is with weight; waxy and light honeyed mouthfeel, enlivened by zesty fruit. The fruit is fresh, zesty with energy and balanced acidity, hauling subtle spices and savoury element to a linear finish. This is a medium-weight Sauvignon Blanc with good core of citrus fruit and zest, honeyed and savoury element. Match with pork loin and grilled fish over the next 3-4 years. De-stemmed, fermented in stainless steel to 12% alc, 6 g/l RS. 17/20 pts July 2020 RRP $19
• Decibel Rosé 2019, Hawke’s Bay
  Rosé from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light salmon-pink, lighter on edge. The nose is fragrant with notes of light florals, peaches, red berries and a layer of stony minerals. Medium-light bodied, dry to taste, with deep flavours of red berries, melon, peach along with subtle white peppery notes. The fruits are plush and fresh with refreshing acidity. Smooth-textured flows along with a light mineral mouthfeel, and delicate white pepper to a dry finish. Match with salmon and smoked beef carpaccio over the next 2 years. 100% Pinot Noir from elevated terraces in Crownthrope. Destemmed and crushed, on skin for less than an hour. Fermented in stainless steel tanks to 13% alc, 4 g/l RS. 17.5/20 pts July 2020 RRP $24
• Decibel Pinot Noir 2017, Martinborough
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 24-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light dark-ruby, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full with savoury elements of mushroom and game; melded with flavours of red currants, red plums and dried cherries; along with sweet tobacco and warm spices. Medium-light bodied, there is a core of savoury mushroom and gaminess, integrated with sour cherry, red currants and dried raspberries, along with smoky-sweet tobacco and baking spices. The palate is smooth with gentle extraction of fine-grained tannins. The acidity is lively, entwined with the savoury element, added interest and complexity; carries the wine to a lengthy and morish finish. This is an elegant Pinot Noir with balanced savoury and sour flavours, along with sweet tobacco and spices on a silky fine-grained tannin structure. Match with roasted game fowls over the next 3-5 years. Fermented by clones, 10% whole bunch in half of the ferments, to 13% alc. Aged 10 months in French oak barriques, 10% new, 20% 2 years and 3 years old oak, the balance in neutral oak. Then further aged in bottle for 18 months. 18.5+/20pts July 2020 RRP $32
• Decibel Malbec 2018, Hawke’s Bay
  Malbec from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep ruby-black with a purple hue, lighter on edge. The nose is elegantly full with sweetly, ripened blackberries, black plums, fragrances of violet florals, entwined with Christmas spices and cedar element. The palate is elegantly powerful, with flavours of red and blackberries, boysenberries, spiced black plums, melded with violet fragrances, smokey cedar, lingers with mineral notes of graphite. Full-bodied with freshness; dark chocolate rich, dry tannins enlivened wet-stone, graphite mineral element brings lightness and elegance to the balance and structure. The fruit is perfectly ripe with brightness and balanced lacy acidity. This is an elegantly-full Malbec with flavours of black fruit, spices, balanced acidity, mineral detail on a dark chocolate dry tannin structure. Match with grilled lamb and beef over the next 4-6 years. Handpicked fruit, wild fermented to 13% alc. Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak puncheons and with a small portion in neutral oak barrels. 18.5/20 pts July 2020 RRP $28