FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• LVCA Petit Frere 2018, Hawke’s Bay
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 30-Jul-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep ruby-red with depth, lighter on edge. The nose is full and enticing, penetrating herbaceous aromas of menthol, vine leaves entwined with crunchy red berries, cassis, plums, underlying cedar and new leather. Full-bodied, savoury toned berries and plums have a ripe core, melded harmoniously with menthol and vine leaf nuances, leather and smoky cedar complexity followed. The palate is mouth-filling with balanced fruit and acidity; fine-grained tannin extraction is quality and smooth, lends a long, everlasting finish. All elements are in harmony with intensity; savoury, leathery details added interest. Match with charred ribeye with truffle sauce and venison Bourguignon over the next 10+ years. A blend of Merlot 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35% & Cabernet Franc 5% sourced from Havelock Hills. Handpicked, hand-sorted, destemmed, cold-soaked for 3 days, fermented to 13.1% alc, aged in 100% French oak for 12-15 months, 35% new and 65% one-year-old barrels. Egg white fined and filtered before bottling. 1,200 bottles produced. 19/20 pts (95 pts) July 2021 RRP $88
• LVCA Petit Frere 2019, Hawke’s Bay
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 25-Sep-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, ruby-red with an inky core, lighter on the rim. The bouquet is elegantly expressive, enticing nuances of black plums, blackberries interweave cloves and nutmeg, cedar, vanilla and violet. Full-bodied, aromas of plums, cassis and blackberries have purity and depth, savoury mushroom, cedar unfolds, along with violets, nutmeg, cloves barrel spices, linger to a long, satisfying finish. The fruit is the star, pristine with great flavour and depth; quality oak used to elevate and enrich the complexity, added savoury mealiness, fine barrel spices, cedar details, left a velvety mouthfeel contributed by finely extracted tannins. The wine is broody and flavoursome; black fruit enriched by elegant oak details flows harmoniously on a velvety palate. Match with braised short ribs and Perigord truffle over the next 10-15 years. A blend of Merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Cabernet Franc 5% & 3% Malbec. Handpicked, hand-sorted, destemmed, cold-soaked for 3 days, fermented to 13.6% alc, aged in 100% French oak for 12-14 months, 28% new and 72% one-year-old barrels. Egg white fined and filtered before bottling. 1,200 bottles produced. 19+/20 pts (96 pts) Sept 2021 RRP $90
• Te Muna Valley Chenin Blanc 2018, Martinborough
  Chenin Blanc from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium yellow-gold with depth, lighter edged. The nose is softly full with a hint of savouriness, aromas of honeysuckle, pollen melded with apricot, lemon and white spice. Medium-full bodied, off-dry to taste, aromas of stonefruit, lemon, intermix honey mead, floral, linger with spice liftings. The mouthfeel possesses fine-textured phenolics, carries spices, floral and pollen, added texture. Brilliant acidity tamed by sugar sweetness provides balance. Match with Vietnamese lemongrass pork chop and smoke mackerel over the next 3-4 years. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild ferment in stainless steel to 11.7% alc, 12 g/l RS. Vegan friendly. 18+/20 pts (91 pts) Aug RRP $39
• Te Muna Valley Chardonnay 2017, Martinborough
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale yellow with some depth, slightly lighter on the rim. The bouquet is elegantly presented, penetrating aromas of toasted almonds, soft butter, subtle floral along with citrus and stonefruit nuances. Medium-full bodied, aromas of apricots, lemon and preserved lemon interweave toasty oak and almonds. Acidity is invigorating, provide a fresh drive to the zesty, buttery, toasty oak complexity. Match with roasted chicken and baked grouper over the next 5+ years. Handpicked, barrel-fermented to 12.8% alc, aged in French oak for 11 months approx. 479 bottles produced. 18/20 pts (90 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $49
• Te Muna Valley James Pinot Gris 2013, Martinborough
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, straw-yellow with depth, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full and complex, aromas of subtle gunflint, hay, gingerbread, entwined with honey, dried pear and apple, dukkah. Medium-full bodied, medium-dry to taste, nuances of baked apple, dried pear melded with honey, gingerbread, cereal and hay. The fruit is beautifully concentrated, enriched by spices and cereal complexity; unctuous mouthfeel carries balanced, integrated acidity with a subtle lemon zing. This is a gracefully developed Pinot Gris with lush fruit, spices and cereal details. Match with tom yum and sambal curry over the next 3-5 years. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild-fermented to 13.5% alc, 29 g/l RS, aged on lees for 8 months. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $33  
• Te Muna Valley Autumn Harvest Pinot Gris 2014, Martinborough
  Sweet Wine from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium golden-yellow with depth, lighter edged. The nose is packed with aromas of honey, dried flowers, apricot and beeswax. Full-bodied, medium-sweet to taste, aromas of stonefruit melded with jasmine tea, honey, dried flowers and beeswax. It's clean on the palate with lightness and tea fragrance, enriched by the honey nectar with a subtle hint of ginger. Acidity is lively and balanced, provides a lovely flow. Match with spicy fish and chilli lemongrass pork over the next 3-5 years. Handpicked, fermented to 10.4%, 57 g/l RS. 2,000 bottles produced. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $42
• Te Muna Valley James Pinot Noir 2014, Martinborough
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep ruby-black with a slight tinge of garnet, lighter on the rim. The nose is gently full, underlying power, penetrating developed aromas of baked cherries, prunes, dried herbs, interweave game, earth and toasted spices. Medium-full bodied, weighty aromas of baked cherries, prunes melded with cardamon, black liquorice, underlined game and earth in well-proportions. The mouthfeel is silky with fine-grained tannins and light grip, flow with integrated acid, linger to a long, elegant finish. This elegant Pinot Noir shows developments of baked fruit, spice, and game on a silky palate with a fine grip. Match with lamb stew and duck confit over the next 5 years. Fermented to 13.5% alc, unfined, unfiltered, 2,800 bottles produced. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $49
• Te Muna Valley The Hawk Pinot Noir 2016, Martinborough
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 02-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Ruby-red with depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is comforting with complexity, aromas of black cherries, plums melded with black pepper, dried herbs and earth. Medium-full bodied, aromas of dark cherries, plums have a savoury edge, interweave dried herbs, black pepper and warming spices. There's richness on the palate compile by liquorice, earth and savoury fruit, broad on the palate, entwined with a fine-grained tannin veil, linger with warm spices and lively acidity to a sustained closing. This Pinot Noir provide power and a broad palate with savoury details. Match with rosemary roasted lamb and casserole over the next 3-4 years. Wild fermented with 40% whole bunch to 13.6% alc, aged in barrels for 16 months approx. Unfined, unfiltered. 4,300 bottles produced. 18/20 pts (90 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $35
• Fancrest Estate Pinot Noir 2015, North Canterbury
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 30-Jun-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep ruby-black with a garnet shade, hazy, lighter on the rim. The nose is gentle and persistent, with herbaceous aromas of thyme, sweet basil, interweave black cherries, blackberries overlaid black pepper, ash and subtle spices. Medium-full bodied, aromas of black cherries, melded with red plums and blueberries, black pepper, thyme, sweet basil unfolds with ash, charcoal and baking spice mix. The wine has good energy and flow; lacy acidity interweaves powdery tannin thread and persists to a lengthy, pure fruit expression. This is a complex and supple individual, full of pure expressions and wonders. Highly recommend decanting and open minds. Match with braised pork belly and lamb stew over the next 5 years. Fermented to 14.4% alc, only 10ppm sulphite added at bottling, unfined and unfiltered. BioGro organic certified. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) June 2021 RRP $45
• Fancrest Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2019, North Canterbury
  Rosé from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 30-Jun-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Pale salmon-mandarin, slightly hazy, even colour throughout. The nose is softly full, slowly opening up with nuances of stonefruit, kumquat and zest melded with sweet florals and an amalgam of medicinal and fragrant herbs. Medium-bodied, a complex range of flavours, aromas of kumquat, mandarin zest and peach have a vibrant core, thyme and medicinal herbs added interest, along with a hint of oxidative nutty nuance lingers to a pleasing taut finish. The acidity is buoyant, flows along a fine line with subtle tannin extraction. This is a no addition, low intervention rosé with aromas of kumquat, stonefruit, amalgam herbs and oxidative nutty notes on a fine-textured palate. Match with sesame chicken and macadamia crusted monkfish over the next 2 years. Fermented to 13% alc, no added sulphite, unfined and unfiltered. BioGro organic certified. 17.5/20 pts (88 pts) June 2021 RRP $26
• Pisa Range Estate Run 245 Pinot Noir 2019, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 28-Jun-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, ruby-red with good transparency, lighter edged. The nose is gently full and voluminous, filled the glass with dark cherries and blackberries, earth, interweave dried thyme, black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied, elegantly presented, aromas of dark cherries, blackberries are fragrant, intermix a hint of dark plums, thyme meadow, black pepper, unfolding black tea fragrance, subtle earthy savouriness. Supple, powdery tannin lightly coated the palate; silky thread knitted with lacy acidity, elegantly flow to a sustained pleasing finish. This is an elegant Pinot Noir with dark fruit, earth and silky tannin structure, over delivered on all levels. Match with wagyu bresaola and smoked duck breast over the next 5 years. Aged 9 months in 100% French oak barriques, 14% alc. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) June 2021 RRP$28
• Pisa Range Estate Soli Vero Pinot Noir 2018, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 10-Sep-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, ruby-red with some transparency, slightly lighter on the rim with a deep purple hue. The bouquet is full and deep with savoury fruit of black cherries, black plums and berries, entwined with thyme herbs, unfolding baking spices and earthy mineral elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate is full with rich flavours of savoury black cherries and plums, enriched by broody dark thyme, earthy minerals and subtle spices. The mouthfeel is opulent, supported by smooth, silky tannin extraction, flow with integrated lacy acidity along an earthy mineral drive. The fruit has richness and concentration, sweet-scented with savoury balance underlying alcohol power lends a long sustained finish. This is an opulent Pinot Noir with flavours of sweet and savoury balanced fruit, along with thyme and spices nuances underlined silky tannin and earthy mineral details. Match with slow-cooked lamb shoulder and tea-smoked duck over the next 8-10 years. 100% Pinot Noir from Bendigo, fermented to 14% alc. Biogro organic certified. Aged in French oak barriques for 9 months, 20% new oak. 19/20 pts Sept 2020 RRP $56