Category Archives: New Zealand

Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2001

Posted on December 13, 2009 by Lincoln

A release direct from the cellar door. And at, as you can see, quite a remarkable price. A complex nose, stewed strawberries, beetroot, red cherries, undergrowth and brown spices, a touch of butter and a bit of varnish. A mellow … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Marlborough, New Zealand, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Alluviale Anobli 2008

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Lincoln

100% Sauvignon Blanc from Mangatahi in Hawkes Bay. The grapes were harvested in the middle of May at 52 Brix. A golden colour. A gorgeous nose: fig, citrus fruits, glacé pineapple with a touch of honey, golden syrup and crème … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Dada 1 2007

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Lincoln

A complex nose – so much happening here. If you see other reviews of this wine I bet there will be a whole swag of different descriptors. For me, there were aromas of gooseberries, meal and some lees, lemons and … Continue reading →

Posted in $50 to $100, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Sauvignon Blanc, Varietal/Style | 2 Comments

Craggy Range “Sophia” 2002

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Lincoln

A Cheval Blancesque blend of 63% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Still a black/heavy red in colour. The nose is big. Jimmy Durante. Plums, cinnamon, five spice, menthol, smoky tobacco leaf and black currants. The … Continue reading →

Posted in $50 to $100, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price | Leave a comment

Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Lincoln

Blackcurrants, dry stalks and a mulchy vegetative character. A full palate, ripe and juicy, dominated by blackcurrants and blackberries, with some tartness in the midpalate, and then tobacco, stalks and a burnt character on the finish. It is almost overpowering … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Cabernet Sauvignon, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Escarpment “Kupe” Pinot Noir 2003

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Lincoln

Scoring-wise, I am stuck in the 80s. I had hoped that this would be a 90+ point wine, but the finish let in down. Perhaps I am being too tough. A seriously crap cork – it just crumbled. Quite a … Continue reading →

Posted in $50 to $100, Martinborough, New Zealand, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Puriri Hills Reserve 2005

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Lincoln

Made from a 5 acre vineyard in Clevedon, about 40 minutes by car from Auckland, and blended to reflect the relative proportions of Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in the vineyard. A fascinating nose, showing red currants, … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Notes | Leave a comment

Pyramid Valley Lebecca Vineyard Riesling 2005

Posted on September 23, 2007 by Lincoln

The Lebecca vineyard is in Wratts Road in Rapaura, and is on deep gravelly silts. And it certainly isn’t a cheap Riesling, but I don’t mind when it delivers. Lots of things on the nose, all at the same time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, New Zealand, Notes | 2 Comments

Bell Hill Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir 2001

Posted on August 1, 2007 by Lincoln

I bought this a couple of years ago after trying it at a pinot tasting organised by Stew from the Wine Emporium. At the time it looked like a tight and well-structured wine that would age quite well, but unfortunately … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Notes, Waipara | Leave a comment

Craggy Range Block 14 Syrah 2002

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Lincoln

Some cooler weather recently warranted a bigger wine; and I certainly got what I asked for! A very dark red/purple in colour, and a big oaky and juicy nose, nutty oak and blackberries, black olives, pepper and meat, with mocha/coffee/spice … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment