A large crop of 28 new Potential Classics, 25 new Classics and 7 new Super Classics are the features of this year’s closely revised list of New Zealand wine classics.
What is a New Zealand wine classic? It is a wine that in quality terms consistently ranks in the very forefront of its class. To qualify for selection, each label must have achieved an outstanding level of quality for at least three vintages; there are no flashes in the pan here.
By identifying New Zealand wine classics, my aim is to transcend the inconsistencies of individual vintages and wine competition results, and highlight consistency of excellence. When introducing the elite category of Super Classics, I restricted entry to wines which have achieved brilliance in at least five vintages (compared to three for Classic status). The Super Classics are all highly prestigious wines, with a proven ability to mature well (even the Sauvignon Blancs, compared to other examples of the variety).
The Potential Classics are the pool from which future Classics will emerge. These are wines of outstanding quality which look likely, if their current standards are maintained or improved, to qualify after another vintage or two for elevation to Classic status. All the additions and elevations on this year’s list are identified by an asterisk.
Note: Some wines on the classics list are not reviewed every year. If a wine is not currently on sale, this generally reflects a lack of favourable weather in recent vintages.
Table of Contents
Super Classics
Classics
Potential Classics
SUPER CLASSICS
Ata Rangi Craighall Martinborough Chardonnay
Review: This memorable wine has richness, complexity and downright drinkability. From a company-owned block of low-yielding Mendoza-clone vines in the ...
Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: One of the greatest of all New Zealand wines, this Martinborough red is powerfully built and concentrated, yet seductively ...
Burn Cottage Burn Cottage Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown in the foothills of the Pisa Range, in the Cromwell Basin, the powerful, youthful 2017 vintage (5*) was ...
Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: This very classy wine sits above the McDonald Series (but below Tom and 1 Single Vineyard) in the Church ...
Church Road Tom Chardonnay
Review: This is the pinnacle of Church Road's Hawke's Bay Chardonnays – as its price conveys. The 2019 vintage (5*), ...
Church Road Tom Merlot/Cabernet
Review: Pernod Ricard NZ's top Hawke's Bay red honours pioneer winemaker Tom McDonald, a driving force behind New Zealand's first ...
Clearview Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: For his premium Chardonnay label, winemaker Tim Turvey aims for a 'big, grunty, upfront' style – and hits the ...
Clos de Ste Anne Chardonnay Naboth’s Vineyard
Review: Once described by co-founder James Millton as 'a stiletto, not a slipper', Millton's Chardonnay is based on ungrafted, unirrigated ...
Cloudy Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Review: New Zealand's most internationally acclaimed wine is sought after from Sydney to New York and London. Its irresistibly aromatic ...
Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Te Koko o Kupe ('The Oyster Dredge of Kupe') is the original name for Cloudy Bay; it is also ...
Craggy Range Le Sol
Review: This famous Syrah impresses with its lovely fragrance and finesse. Estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawke's Bay, the ...
Deutz Marlborough Cuvée Blanc de Blancs
Review: New Zealand's most awarded bubbly on the show circuit. This Chardonnay-predominant blend is hand-harvested on the south side of ...
Dog Point Vineyard Section 94
Review: This ranks among the country's greatest oak-aged Sauvignon Blancs. Looking for 'texture, rather than rich aromatics', Dog Point fermented ...
Dry River Craighall Vineyard Martinborough Riesling
Review: One of the finest Rieslings in the country, this is typically a wine of exceptional purity, delicacy and depth, ...
Dry River Craighall Vineyard Selection Martinborough Riesling
Review: This consistently classy wine is late-harvested to 'produce a Riesling with low alcohol, high residual sugar and high acidity, ...
Dry River Lovat Vineyard Gewürztraminer
Review: From mature vines in Martinborough, the 2019 vintage (5*) is an arresting wine. Powerful and weighty (14.5 per cent ...
Dry River Martinborough Chardonnay
Review: Elegance, restraint and subtle power are the key qualities of this classic wine. It's not a bold, upfront style, ...
Dry River Martinborough Pinot Gris
Review: From the first vintage in 1986, for many years Dry River towered over other New Zealand Pinot Gris, by ...
Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: Dark and densely flavoured, this Martinborough red ranks among New Zealand's greatest Pinot Noirs. It is grown in three ...
Esk Valley Heipipi The Terraces
Review: Grown on a steep, terraced, north-facing hillside at Bay View, in Hawke's Bay, this is typically a strikingly bold, ...
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet Franc
Review: The bold 2018 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38 per cent), Merlot (28 per cent), Malbec ...
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: The classy 2016 vintage (5*) was grown in the Cornerstone Vineyard, hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for ...
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Often one of the region's most distinguished Chardonnays. The 2018 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard wine, hand-picked at Bay ...
Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The Bannockburn winery's 'standard' Pinot Noir is a distinguished wine, blended from its four sites in the district. Matured ...
Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago Riesling
Review: Estate-grown in The Elms Vineyard, this gently sweet style has deep flavours woven with fresh acidity. It offers more ...
Felton Road Block 3 Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Grown at Bannockburn, on a north-facing slope 270 metres above sea level, this is a majestic Central Otago wine, ...
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir
Review: This is winemaker Blair Walter's favourite Felton Road red. Grown in a 'special' block of The Elms Vineyard at ...
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir
Review: From the company-owned Cornish Point Vineyard at the eastern end of Bannockburn, 6 kilometres from the winery, this is ...
Forrest Botrytised Marlborough Riesling
Review: The 2018 vintage (5*) is a richly botrytised style with a fragrant, honeyed bouquet. Bright, light gold/green, it has ...
Framingham Noble Riesling
Review: The 2017 vintage (5*) is an oily-rich, sweet (176 grams/litre of residual sugar), vibrantly fruity wine, handled in a ...
Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: Fromm's finest Chardonnay is grown on the southern flanks of the Wairau Valley, where the clay soils, says winemaker ...
Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir
Review: This acclaimed Marlborough red is grown and hand-harvested on north-facing clay slopes at Clayvin Vineyard, in the Brancott Valley, ...
Johanneshof Marlborough Gewürztraminer
Review: This beauty ranks among the country's greatest Gewürztraminers. Hand-picked in the Wairau Valley, the bright, light lemon/green 2020 vintage ...
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay
Review: This wine ranks fifth in the company's hierarchy of six Chardonnays, after four single-vineyard labels, but is still outstanding ...
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay
Review: This outstanding single-vineyard wine – my favourite in the Kumeu River range – is grown on slopes above Mate's ...
Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Kumeu Chardonnay
Review: This extremely classy, single-vineyard wine is Kumeu River's flagship. It is made entirely from the best of the fruit ...
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Gewürztraminer
Review: One of the country's most impressive Gewürztraminers. Grown in the Home Block and nearby Woodward Vineyard, at the foot ...
Nautilus Cuvée Marlborough
Review: Recent releases of this non-vintage, bottle-fermented sparkling have revealed an intensity and refinement that positions the label among the ...
Neudorf Home Block Single Vineyard Moutere Chardonnay
Review: (Note: up to and including the 2018 vintage, this classic wine was labelled Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay.) Superbly rich but ...
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir
Review: Typically a very classy Nelson red. It is hand-picked from 'older vines' at Upper Moutere, fermented with indigenous yeasts, ...
Passage Rock Reserve Waiheke Island Syrah
Review: One of Waiheke's most awarded reds. Estate-grown, the 2019 vintage (5*) was matured for 10 months in "mostly new ...
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay
Review: Strapping yet delicate, richly flavoured yet subtle, this sophisticated North Canterbury wine is one of the country's best Chardonnays ...
Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Pinot Noir
Review: This is one of North Canterbury's greatest Pinot Noirs, typically very rich in body and flavour. Many of the ...
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir
Review: For its top Waipara red, Pegasus Bay wants 'a heavenly voice, a shapely body and a velvety nose'. Based ...
Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley North Canterbury Riesling
Review: Classy stuff. Estate-grown at Waipara, in North Canterbury, in top vintages it is richly fragrant and thrillingly intense, with ...
Puriri Hills Harmonie Du Soir
Review: Formerly called 'Puriri Hills Reserve', this regional classic has been labelled as 'Harmonie Du Soir' since the 2012 vintage ...
Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Single Ferment Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic and biodynamic, the powerful 2018 vintage (5*) is 'a single ferment . . . personally selected by ...
Rippon Tinker’s Field Mature Vine Pinot Noir
Review: Named after Rippon's co-founder, Rolfe Mills ('Tink' to his friends), this exceptional wine is based on 'the oldest vines ...
Sacred Hill Riflemans Chardonnay
Review: Sacred Hill’s flagship Chardonnay is one of New Zealand’s greatest – powerful yet elegant, with striking intensity and outstanding ...
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Marlborough's largest family-owned wine producer has an extensive array of Sauvignon Blancs. This is not the region's most complex ...
Seresin Chardonnay Reserve
Review: Finesse is the keynote quality of this organically certified Marlborough wine. Estate-grown in the Raupo Creek Vineyard, in the ...
Seresin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This is one of the region's most sophisticated, subtle and satisfying Sauvignons. It's also one of the most important, ...
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Reserve Syrah
Review: Certified organic, the extremely youthful 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Roy's Hill, hand-picked and matured for 18 months ...
Stonyridge Larose
Review: Typically a stunning Waiheke Island wine. Dark and seductively perfumed, with smashing fruit flavours, at its best it is ...
Te Mata Awatea Cabernets/Merlot
Review: Positioned below its Coleraine stablemate in Te Mata's hierarchy of Hawke's Bay, claret-style reds, since 1995 Awatea has been ...
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This oak-aged Hawke's Bay label is impressive for its ripely herbal, complex, sustained flavours. Most of the grapes are ...
Te Mata Coleraine
Review: Breed, rather than brute power, is the hallmark of Coleraine (correctly pronounced Cole-raine rather than Coler-aine), which since its ...
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay
Review: One of New Zealand's most illustrious Chardonnays, Elston is a stylish, intense, slowly evolving Hawke's Bay wine. At around ...
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah
Review: Grown traditionally in the Bullnose and Isosceles vineyards, in the Bridge Pa Triangle inland from Hastings, in Hawke's Bay, ...
Te Mata Estate Zara Hawke’s Bay Viognier
Review: This estate-grown wine is from Woodthorpe Terraces, on the south side of the Dartmoor Valley. Hand-picked, in 2018 it ...
Terra Sancta Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé
Review: From one vintage to the next, this is one of the country's leading rosés. The 2020 vintage (5*) was ...
Trinity Hill Homage Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: One of the country's most distinguished – and expensive – reds. Still extremely youthful, the 2018 vintage (5*) was ...
Valli Gibbston Vineyard Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The stylish 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-picked, matured in French oak barriques (30 per cent new), and bottled unfined ...
Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Still extremely youthful, the 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested in the Keltern and Kokako vineyards and fermented and matured ...
Villa Maria Keltern Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Grown at a cool, inland site on the western edge of the Bridge Pa Triangle, this arresting wine is ...
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay
Review: This wine has for many years been acclaimed as one of the region's finest Chardonnays. The 2019 vintage (5*) ...
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Review: Deeply coloured, the lovely 2018 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78 per cent), Merlot (14 per ...
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot
Review: This is a consistently outstanding wine. Estate-grown, the 2018 vintage (5*) was matured for 18 months in French oak ...
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection
Review: One of New Zealand's top sweet wines on the show circuit. It is typically stunningly perfumed, weighty and oily, ...
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: Launched from 2000, this label swiftly won recognition as one of the region's boldest, lushest reds. Grown in the ...
CLASSICS
Akarua Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown, hand-harvested from 23 year-old vines, and matured for 11 months in French oak barriques (27 per cent new), ...
Akitu A1 Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown 380 metres above sea level at Mt Barker, in the Wanaka sub-region, the barrel-aged 2018 vintage (5*) is ...
Alpha Domus The Aviator
Review: This classy Hawke's Bay wine is blended from classic red Bordeaux varieties, estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. The ...
Amisfield RKV Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown and hand-picked from selected blocks in the Rocky Knoll Vineyard at Pisa, in the Cromwell Basin, the 2016 ...
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Southern Valleys Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, on the site where the region's first wines were made ...
Babich Irongate Chardonnay
Review: Babich's flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate was traditionally markedly leaner and tighter than other top Hawke's Bay Chardonnays, ...
Babich Irongate Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet/Merlot/Franc
Review: Estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard and matured in French oak barriques (40 per cent new in 2016), this elegant, ...
Babich The Patriarch
Review: This is promoted as Babich's greatest red, regardless of the variety or region of origin, but all vintages have ...
Bannock Brae Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This Bannockburn red is typically outstanding. The 2016 vintage (4.5*) is a refined, youthful wine, ruby-hued, with ripe cherry, ...
Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘B’ Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This wine is promoted by Pernod Ricard NZ as 'our finest expression of Marlborough's most famous variety' – and ...
Brookfields Hillside Syrah
Review: This distinguished red is grown on a sheltered, north-facing slope between Maraekakaho and Bridge Pa, in Hawke's Bay (described ...
Brookfields Reserve Vintage Hawke’s Bay Cabernet/Merlot
Review: Brookfields' top red is one of the most powerful, long-lived reds in Hawke's Bay. At its best, it is ...
Carrick Organic Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: A regional classic. Certified organic, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) is from the hottest growing season on record. A powerful ...
Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: Full of potential, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a deeply coloured, finely structured red, estate-grown principally in the Redstone ...
Clearview The Basket Press
Review: The distinguished 2016 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (41 per cent), Merlot (39 per cent) and ...
Clos de Ste Anne Viognier Les Arbres
Review: This biodynamically certified Gisborne wine from Millton shows impressive richness and complexity. Hill-grown, it is hand-harvested and fermented with ...
Clos Henri Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: The Clos Henri Vineyard near Renwick is owned by Henri Bourgeois, a leading, family-owned producer in the Loire Valley, ...
Cloudy Bay New Zealand Chardonnay
Review: A powerful Marlborough wine with impressively concentrated, savoury, lemony, mealy flavours and a proven ability to mature well over ...
Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV
Review: 'Designed as an aperitif', Cloudy Bay's non-vintage Marlborough bubbly is a Chardonnay-dominant style, with 30 per cent Pinot Noir, ...
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Calvert Vineyard at Bannockburn and Northburn Vineyard, on the east bank ...
Craggy Range Aroha
Review: The delicious 2017 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard Pinot Noir, estate-grown at Te Muna, on the edge of Martinborough ...
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: This label is overshadowed by the reputation of its stablemate, Le Sol, but proves the power, structure and finesse ...
Craggy Range Sophia
Review: This is Craggy Range's premier Merlot-based red. The 2016 vintage (5*) is a Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay blend of ...
Deutz Marlborough Prestige Cuvée
Review: Well worth discovering, this is typically a very classy wine, disgorged after three years on its yeast lees. A ...
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Delicious now, but also well worth cellaring, the 2017 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown at Bannockburn, matured ...
Dog Point Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: This classy wine is estate-grown and hand-harvested on the south side of the Wairau Valley, fermented and matured for ...
Dog Point Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: This classy, finely structured red is estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, hand-picked and matured for ...
Dog Point Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This classic wine offers a clear style contrast to Section 94, Dog Point's complex, barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc (see the ...
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: An emerging star. The powerful 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels (83 per cent) ...
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Hieronymus
Review: The powerful young 2019 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60 per cent), Cabernet Franc (29 per ...
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Cabernet
Review: The classy 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels and the Bridge Pa Triangle, and ...
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: Still very youthful, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown and hand-picked in the Gimblett Gravels (48 per cent), the ...
Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago Chardonnay
Review: This classy, distinctive wine is grown at Bannockburn and matured in French oak barriques, with restrained use of new ...
Felton Road Block 2 Central Otago Chardonnay
Review: This typically outstanding wine is grown in a 'special part of The Elms Vineyard in front of the winery', ...
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir
Review: Grown in the Calvert Vineyard at Bannockburn – 1 kilometre east of the winery – matured in French oak ...
Felton Road Dry Riesling
Review: Estate-grown in schisty soils at Bannockburn, in Central Otago, this wine is hand-picked in The Elms Vineyard and fermented ...
Framingham Classic Marlborough Riesling
Review: Top vintages of this estate-grown, Wairau Valley wine are strikingly aromatic, richly flavoured and zesty. The classy 2020 vintage ...
Fromm Cuvée ‘H’ Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic, the 2018 vintage (5*) is labelled in honour of Hätsch Kalberer, Fromm's winemaker since the first vintage ...
Fromm Fromm Vineyard Pinot Noir
Review: Winemaker Hätsch Kalberer describes this Marlborough red as 'not a typical New World style, but the truest expression of ...
Gibbston Valley Le Maitre Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Grown in the Home Block at Gibbston, where the oldest vines were planted in 1983, the 2019 vintage (5*), ...
Gibbston Valley Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: At its best, this Central Otago red is mouthfilling and savoury, with superb concentration of sweet-tasting, plummy fruit and ...
Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown in Alexandra, this is typically a top buy. From vines planted in 2003, the graceful 2018 vintage (4.5*) ...
Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Chardonnay
Review: This consistently impressive wine is estate-grown at Hope, in Nelson, hand-picked, barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French ...
Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Pinot Noir
Review: One of Nelson's greatest reds, at its best powerful, rich and long-lived. It is estate-grown and hand-picked on an ...
Greystone Erin’s Reserve Waipara Valley Chardonnay
Review: Greystone views Chardonnay as 'the finest white wine variety'. Grown on steep, north-facing limestone slopes, this wine is hand-harvested, ...
Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Pinot Gris
Review: At its best, this is one of the finest Pinot Gris in the country. Full of youthful vigour, the ...
Greystone Waipara Valley North Canterbury Gewürztraminer
Review: An emerging star. Certified organic, the delicious 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested, and part of the blend ...
Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: The vigorous, youthful 2017 vintage (5*) is bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet. Mouthfilling, it has deep, ...
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris
Review: Grown in the Brancott Valley and at Rapaura, the powerful 2018 vintage (4.5*) was handled for five months in ...
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: Grown at elevated sites in the Southern Valleys, hand-harvested and matured in French oak barriques (partly new), the 2017 ...
Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Grown in the central Wairau Valley and the Southern Valleys, the 2019 vintage (5*) was handled principally in tanks ...
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon
Review: This is a leading example of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from well outside the mainstream. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in ...
Hans Herzog Marlborough Tempranillo
Review: The lovely 2015 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Wairau Valley, matured for 30 months in French oak barriques, ...
Hunter’s Miru Miru Reserve
Review: This has long been one of Marlborough's best sparklings, full and lively, with loads of peachy, yeasty, nutty flavour, ...
La Collina Syrah
Review: La Collina ('The Hill') is grown at Bilancia's steep, early-ripening site on the northern slopes of Roys Hill, overlooking ...
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: One of the region's best, widely available Sauvignon Blancs, this stylish wine is vibrant, intense and finely structured. The ...
Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Marlborough Gewürztraminer
Review: Well worth cellaring, the 2020 vintage (5*) is an Alsace-style wine, estate-grown in the Home Block and fermented with ...
Mahi Single Vineyard Twin Valleys Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: Hand-picked in the Twin Valleys Vineyard, at the junction of the Wairau and Waihopai valleys, the refined 2017 vintage ...
Millton Te Arai Vineyard Gisborne Chenin Blanc
Review: Certified organic, this Gisborne wine is one of New Zealand's best-known Chenin Blancs. It's a richly varietal wine with ...
Misha’s Vineyard Limelight Riesling
Review: This single-vineyard wine is estate-grown and hand-harvested at Bendigo, in Central Otago. Invitingly scented, the 2019 vintage (5*) is ...
Misha’s Vineyard Lyric Central Otago Riesling
Review: This is the sort of 'dry' Riesling New Zealand needs a lot more of. Estate-grown and hand- harvested at ...
Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at Bendigo, in the Cromwell Basin, the very youthful, vigorous 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous ...
Mission Jewelstone Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Antoine
Review: Named after pioneer winemaker Father Antoine Gavin, the very youthful 2019 vintage (5*) is a distinguished blend of Cabernet ...
Mission Jewelstone Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Classy stuff. Made in a bolder, more upfront style than some past releases, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) was grown ...
Mission Jewelstone Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: Likely to be long-lived, the classy 2020 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown at Mere Road, in the ...
Mondillo Central Otago Nina
Review: A lovely late-harvest style, the 2019 vintage (5*) was made from Riesling, hand-picked at Bendigo. Bright, light lemon/green, it ...
Nautilus Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: Already very expressive, the 2020 vintage (5*) was mostly estate-grown and hand-harvested at Renwick, and fermented and matured in ...
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris
Review: The youthful 2019 vintage (4.5*) is an estate-grown Nelson wine, fermented with indigenous yeasts (30 per cent in old ...
Newton Forrest Estate Cornerstone
Review: Grown in the Cornerstone Vineyard, on the corner of Gimblett Road and State Highway 50 – where the first ...
Nga Waka Martinborough Lease Block Pinot Noir
Review: Still very youthful, the delicious 2020 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, from vines planted in 1999. Matured for ...
Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: This is typically an enticingly perfumed, notably elegant and harmonious red. The 2019 vintage (5*) is deep ruby and ...
Pegasus Bay Encore Noble Riesling
Review: Grown at Waipara, in North Canterbury, this beauty is from hand-selected, botrytised bunches and berries, harvested late in the ...
Pegasus Bay Gewürztraminer
Review: Estate-grown at Waipara, in North Canterbury, the delicious 2018 vintage (5*) was handled for six months in old oak ...
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon/Sémillon
Review: This distinctive Waipara, North Canterbury wine is concentrated and complex, with loads of personality. It is typically a 70:30 ...
Pisa Range Estate Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at Pisa Flats, north of Cromwell, in Central Otago, this classy, enticingly scented wine is well worth discovering ...
Prophet’s Rock Home Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This consistently rewarding red is estate-grown at a high-altitude site at Bendigo. Barrel-aged for 17 months and bottled unfiltered, ...
Puriri Hills Clevedon Pope
Review: Named after Ivan Pope, who planted and tended the vines at this Clevedon, South Auckland vineyard. Still on sale, ...
Pyramid Valley Vineyards Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay
Review: Estate-grown on an east-facing slope at Waikari, in North Canterbury, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a powerful (14.5 per ...
Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic and biodynamic, the extremely graceful 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Bendigo, hand-picked and matured for a ...
Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle Vintage Blanc de Blancs
Review: Top vintages are outstanding, showing great vigour and complexity in a Champagne-like style, intense and highly refined. The vivacious ...
Rippon ‘Rippon’ Mature Vine Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This Lake Wanaka red has a long, proud history. Estate-grown but not a single-block wine – winemaker Nick Mills ...
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This consistently stylish blend of Cromwell Basin (mostly) and Gibbston grapes typically has concentrated cherry, plum and dried-herb flavours, ...
Sacred Hill Brokenstone
Review: Merlot-based, this is a typically outstanding Hawke's Bay red from the Gimblett Gravels (principally the company's Deerstalkers Vineyard). The ...
Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: The mouthfilling, supple 2016 vintage (5*) is an age-worthy red, hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 16 ...
Sacred Hill Helmsman
Review: This is a classy, single-vineyard Gimblett Gravels red from Hawke's Bay. The highly refined 2017 vintage (5*), blended from ...
Spy Valley Envoy Johnson Vineyard Marlborough Gewürztraminer
Review: Estate-grown in the lower Waihopai Valley, hand-harvested from mature vines and fermented in small oak vessels, the 2018 vintage ...
Staete Landt Annabel Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Estate-grown at Rapaura, on the relatively warm north side of the Wairau Valley, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) was partly ...
Stonecroft Old Vine Gewürztraminer
Review: The Gewürztraminers from this tiny Hawke's Bay winery are among the finest in the country. This 'Old Vine' wine ...
Stonyridge Pilgrim Waiheke Island Syrah/Mourvedre/Viognier/Grenache
Review: This distinguished Rhône-style blend is estate-grown at Onetangi and matured for a year in French oak barriques (30 per ...
Tarras Vineyards The Canyon Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The fragrant, complex 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Bendigo. Full-coloured, it is rich and savoury, with deep cherry, ...
Te Whau Vineyard Waiheke Island Chardonnay
Review: For its vintage-to-vintage consistency, this was Te Whau's finest wine, full of personality, but the 2017 vintage (4.5*) is ...
Terra Sancta Jackson’s Block Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Full of personality, the 2018 vintage (5*) of this estate-grown, single-block red was hand-picked, matured in French oak casks ...
Terra Sancta Slapjack Block Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Review: From the oldest vines in Bannockburn, planted in 1991, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a ruby-hued, velvety red. Hand-picked ...
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett
Review: The dark, full-bodied 2019 vintage (5*) is a Hawke's Bay blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54 per cent), Cabernet Franc ...
Two Paddocks Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The latest vintages are the best yet. Estate-grown at Earnscleugh (51 per cent), Bannockburn (27 per cent) and Gibbston ...
Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The delicious 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested, matured in French oak barriques (30 per cent new), and bottled unfined ...
Valli Bendigo Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The powerful, rich, sweet-fruited 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-picked, matured in French oak barriques (30 per cent new), and ...
Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Review: The refined 2018 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (64 per cent) and Merlot (36 per cent), ...
Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: The estate-grown 2016 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested from 18-year-old vines in the Omahu Gravels and Twyford Gravels vineyards, in ...
Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Named after Clifford Bay, into which the Awatere River empties, this is typically a very classy Marlborough wine. Grown ...
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: The 2018 vintage (5*) is a classy red, estate-grown at two sites and matured for a year in French ...
Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The powerful, stylish 2019 vintage (5*) was fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barriques (38 per cent new), ...
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: This very elegant wine is hand-harvested at warm sites in the Awatere and Wairau valleys, and fermented and matured ...
Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Review: An authoritative wine, it is typically ripe and zingy, with impressive weight and length of flavour, and tends to ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño
Review: Estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Joseph Soler vineyard, and fermented in a concrete, egg-shaped vat, the classy 2020 vintage ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris
Review: One of the country's top Pinot Gris, this Awatere Valley wine is estate-grown, hand-picked and barrel-fermented (90 per cent ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: From gentle, north-facing slopes on the south side of the Wairau Valley, the deep ruby 2017 vintage (4.5*) was ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay
Review: Grown in the company's Taylors Pass Vineyard in Marlborough's Awatere Valley, this wine is hand-harvested and fermented and matured ...
POTENTIAL CLASSICS
Akarua The Siren Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The 2016 vintage (5*) of Akarua's top Pinot Noir was estate-grown and selected from the best eight barrels out ...
Alexander Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: Offering top value, the 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in Martinborough, hand-picked and matured for 11 months in French ...
Alpha Domus AD Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The powerful, savoury 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and fermented and matured for a ...
Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at Pisa, in the Cromwell Basin, the powerful 2017 vintage (5*) was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and ...
Ash Ridge Doppio Chave Syrah
Review: The deeply coloured, youthful 2016 vintage (5*) is based on the Chave clone of Syrah, estate-grown in the Bridge ...
Astrolabe Vineyards Wrekin Vineyard Chenin Blanc
Review: The 2019 vintage (5*) has a powerful presence. A single-vineyard wine, hand-harvested in the Southern Valleys, it was partly ...
Auntsfield Cob Cottage Southern Valleys Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: This single 'block' – rather than just single 'vineyard' – wine is estate-grown on the south side of the ...
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Southern Valleys Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: This consistently rewarding wine is estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, hand-harvested and fermented and matured ...
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: Grown on north-facing slopes at Auntsfield, on the south side of the Wairau Valley, the 2019 vintage (5*) is ...
Aurum Mathilde Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Invitingly perfumed, the 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Lowburn, fermented with indigenous yeasts, matured for a ...
Awaroa Requiem Waiheke Island Cabernet/Merlot/Malbec
Review: The 2016 vintage (5*) is a powerful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50 per cent), Merlot (30 per cent) and ...
Bilancia Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Unfolding well, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown on the lower terraces and flats of la collina Vineyard, hand-picked ...
Black Estate Damsteep North Canterbury Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic, the 2017 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown in the Damsteep Vineyard, planted in 1999 'at the top of ...
Boneline, The, Sharkstone Waipara Chardonnay
Review: An emerging classic from North Canterbury. Full of potential, the distinctive 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown, hand-picked from 30 ...
Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: From the company that planted the region's first Sauvignon Blanc vines in 1975, Chosen Rows is promoted as 'the ...
Brookfields Marshall Bank Chardonnay
Review: Brookfields' top Chardonnay is named after proprietor Peter Robertson's grandfather's property in Otago. Grown in a vineyard adjacent to ...
Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The seductive 2018 vintage (5*) was entirely estate-grown at the company's sites at Lowburn and Bannockburn. Fermented with indigenous ...
Burn Cottage Valli Vineyard Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Since the debut 2014 vintage (5*), Burn Cottage, based in the Cromwell Basin, has drawn grapes from the more ...
Carrick Excelsior Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Likely to be long-lived, the very classy 2014 vintage (5*) was harvested from mature, estate-grown vines at Bannockburn. A ...
Carrick Organic Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Central Otago Chardonnay
Review: From a region producing increasingly fine, often underrated Chardonnays, this is one of the best. EBM means 'extended barrel ...
Church Road Grand Reserve Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Full of personality, the 2019 vintage (5*) of this oak-aged wine is already delicious. Estate-grown mostly in the Redstone ...
Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon
Review: This consistently impressive wine is grown principally in the company's Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle. The 2017 ...
Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Merlot
Review: The 2016 vintage (5*) is a rich, savoury, smooth red, still unfolding. Merlot-based (92 per cent), with a splash ...
Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: Already delicious, the bargain-priced 2019 vintage (5*) is a floral, spicy red, grown in the Gimblett Gravels (principally) and ...
Church Road Tom Syrah
Review: Syrah is the latest addition to Church Road's elite Tom range. Released in late 2019, the third, 2015 vintage ...
Churton Best End Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This is Churton's 'single block, organic Sauvignon Blanc'. From a north-facing slope, 185 metres above sea level, in the ...
Churton Marlborough Petit Manseng
Review: The 2017 vintage (5*) of this traditional variety of Jurancon, in south-west France, was estate-grown in the Waihopai Valley ...
Churton Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: This producer aims for a style that 'combines the renowned flavour and aromatic intensity of Marlborough fruit with the ...
Clearview Endeavour Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: One of New Zealand’s highest-priced Chardonnays, this wine is estate-grown at Te Awanga, hand-picked from (Mendoza-clone) vines planted in ...
Clearview Hawke’s Bay Enigma
Review: Entirely estate-grown at Te Awanga, the lovely 2016 vintage (5*) is a deeply coloured blend of Merlot (70 per ...
Clearview Old Olive Block
Review: This Hawke's Bay red is named after the estate vineyard at Te Awanga, which has an old olive tree ...
Clos de Ste Anne La Bas Gisborne Chenin Blanc
Review: Certified biodynamic, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) is from a section of the vineyard 'down there' (La Bas). Grown in ...
Clos de Ste Anne The Crucible Syrah
Review: The 2015 vintage (5*) is impressive. Grown biodynamically in Millton's elevated Clos de Ste Anne Vineyard in Gisborne, it ...
Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Estate-grown at Seaview, in the Awatere Valley, this wine is consistently classy. The 2019 vintage (5*) was mostly lees-aged ...
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé
Review: This classy, non-vintage wine is a blend of Pinot Noir (mostly) and Chardonnay, hand-picked in the Wairau Valley, partly ...
Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The silky-textured 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Gibbston, hand-picked from vines up to 25 years old, and matured ...
Collaboration Aurulent Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The classy, youthful 2019 vintage (5*) was grown at 'select vineyards' and barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant ...
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: The impressive 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown, hand-picked and matured for nine months in French oak barriques (23 per ...
Daniel Le Brun Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionnelle
Review: Disgorged after at least five years' maturation on its yeast lees, the very classy 2013 vintage (5*) was made ...
Daniel Le Brun Vintage Méthode Traditionnelle
Review: The 2010 vintage (5*), currently on sale, is a blend of Marlborough Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, disgorged after six ...
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The rich, tightly structured 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Te Awanga (principally) and in the Bridge Pa Triangle, ...
Elephant Hill Salomé Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The powerful, classy 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle (78 per cent) and at Te ...
Esk Valley Late Harvest Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc
Review: Hard to resist, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a pale gold wine with an intense, honeyed fragrance. Showing lovely ...
Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: From elevated, north-facing slopes in the Wairau Valley, the 2017 vintage (5*) of this single-vineyard wine was hand-picked and ...
Felton Road Block 1 Central Otago Riesling
Review: Estate-grown in The Elms Vineyard, from mature vines on a 'steeper slope' which yields 'riper fruit' without noble rot, ...
Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Highly refined, the youthful 2016 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested, matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (25 per ...
Folium Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: The classy 2017 vintage (5*) of this Brancott Valley red was hand-harvested and matured in French oak casks (33 ...
Folium Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: The impressive 2018 vintage (5*) was hand-picked in the Brancott Valley and handled entirely in tanks. A distinctive wine, ...
Framingham Select Marlborough Riesling
Review: Designed as an 'aperitif' style, the vivacious 2020 vintage (5*), estate-grown in the Wairau Valley, was hand-picked from 39 ...
Frenchmans Hill Estate Waiheke Island Blood Creek 8
Review: Still on sale, the fragrant, highly concentrated 2014 vintage (5*) is a blend of eight varieties – principally Cabernet ...
Fromm Syrah Fromm Vineyard
Review: Estate-grown in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough, hand-harvested from mature vines, and co-fermented with a splash of Viognier (3 per ...
Georges Road Selection Waipara Pinot Gris
Review: Full of personality, the 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in seasoned oak barrels ...
Gibbston Valley China Terrace Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at altitude (320 metres above sea level) in the China Terrace Vineyard, at Bendigo, the graceful 2019 vintage ...
Gibbston Valley NV Méthode Traditionnelle
Review: This classy wine, from grapes hand-picked in Central Otago, is disgorged after more than two years on its yeast ...
Gibbston Valley School House Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This consistently classy red is estate-grown in the late-ripening School House Vineyard, at Bendigo, an extremely elevated site (up ...
Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Pinot Blanc
Review: Certified organic, the classy 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown, hand-picked, and fermented and aged for 18 months in seasoned ...
Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay
Review: The 2019 vintage (4.5*) of this organically certified wine was hand-picked, barrel-fermented and matured for 10 months in French ...
Greystone Thomas Brothers Waipara Valley Pinot Noir
Review: Powerful but not heavy, the 2019 vintage (5*) was grown in the steep, exposed Brothers Block, hand-harvested, fermented with ...
Greystone Waipara Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir
Review: Finely perfumed, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) is a very graceful, deep ruby red, with ripe cherry, plum and spice ...
Greystone Waipara Valley North Canterbury Riesling
Review: Greystone sees this wine as 'the truest expression of the variety for us'. Certified organic, the youthful 2018 vintage ...
Greywacke Marlborough Riesling
Review: The 2018 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard wine, grown at Fairhall. Hand-harvested, it was 50 per cent fermented in ...
Hans Herzog Marlborough Montepulciano
Review: This classy, estate-grown red is typically overflowing with sweet-fruit flavours. The 2015 vintage (4.5*) was hand-picked on the north ...
Hans Herzog Marlborough Pinot Gris
Review: Prepare for something different! Estate-grown on the northern side of the Wairau Valley, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a ...
Hans Herzog Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Fermented Sur Lie
Review: Outside the regional mainstream, the 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-picked on the north side of the Wairau ...
Hans Herzog Spirit of Marlborough Merlot/Cabernet
Review: Who says you can't make outstanding claret-style reds in the South Island? Estate-grown on the banks of the Wairau ...
Jules Taylor OTQ Limited Release Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Made 'On The Quiet', the 2020 vintage (4.5*) was grown in the Southern Valleys, fermented in old French oak ...
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay
Review: This typically powerful, rich wine is grown in the Coddington Vineyard, between Huapai and Waimauku. The grapes, cultivated on ...
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: The 2020 vintage (4.5*) was grown in the Awatere and Wairau valleys and partly (10 per cent) fermented in ...
Lime Rock Grüner Veltliner
Review: An emerging classic this Central Hawke's Bay wine is estate-grown, hand-picked and typically partly barrel-fermented. The impressive 2019 vintage ...
Lowburn Ferry Home Block Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The powerful 2017 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, hand-harvested in the Cromwell Basin and matured in French oak ...
Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Offering good value, the 2019 vintage (4.5*) was mostly handled in tanks; the ripest, hand-picked fruit (12 per cent ...
Man O’ War Dreadnought Waiheke Island Syrah
Review: Estate-grown at the eastern end of the island, the 2017 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested from the 'steepest and most ...
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir
Review: The elegant, silky-textured 2017 vintage (5*) was matured for a year in French oak casks (23 per cent new) ...
Matawhero Irwin Gisborne Chardonnay
Review: An extroverted, 'full-on' style, the golden 2018 vintage (5*) was harvested from vines planted in 2013 in the Tietjen ...
Maude Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Wanaka Riesling
Review: From vines planted in 1994 on a steep, north-facing slope at Wanaka, in Central Otago, the 2019 vintage (5*) ...
Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Wanaka Dry Riesling
Review: Hand-harvested from vines planted in Central Otago in 1994, the racy 2019 vintage (5*) is very youthful and intense ...
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon
Review: Fragrant, fresh and full-bodied, the 2016 vintage (4.5*) was hand-picked from mature, 21-year-old vines in the company's Mere Road ...
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet/Merlot
Review: Grown and hand-picked at the company’s close-planted Mere Road site, this is a consistently impressive wine. The 2016 vintage ...
Mills Reef Elspeth Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Past vintages under the top Elspeth label flowed from the Gimblett Gravels, but the stylish 2019 (4.5*) was hand-picked ...
Misha’s Vineyard Dress Circle Central Otago Pinot Gris
Review: The powerful young 2020 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown at Bendigo and 23 per cent of the blend was fermented ...
Mission Huchet Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Review: Named in honour of nineteenth-century winemaker Cyprian Huchet, the lovely 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels ...
Mondillo Bella Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The highly impressive 2019 vintage (5*) is a powerful, single-vineyard red, estate-grown and hand-selected from four rows at Bendigo, ...
Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Likely to be long-lived, the concentrated, very youthful 2019 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Bendigo, and matured ...
Mount Edward Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic, the 2017 vintage (5*) of this regional blend was fermented with indigenous yeasts, matured for 11 months ...
Mount Edward Central Otago Riesling
Review: Certified organic, the classy 2018 vintage (5*) was fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel barrels and tanks, and ...
Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: This is one of the region's highest-profile reds. Matured for a year in French oak casks (25 per cent ...
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: From vines planted in 1992, the 2017 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, matured for 15 months in French ...
Nautilus Cuvée Marlborough Vintage Rosé
Review: The vivacious 2017 vintage (5*), made from Pinot Noir, was bottle-fermented and disgorged after lengthy maturation (typically well over ...
Nautilus Marlborough Albariño
Review: This consistently classy, single-vineyard wine is handled without oak. Attractively scented, the 2019 vintage (5*) is full-bodied, with strong, ...
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Named after a paper-thin shell, the estate-grown 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested from mature vines at Renwick, in the ...
Obsidian Reserve The Obsidian
Review: The Obsidian Vineyard at Onetangi produces one of the most stylish Waiheke Island reds. Blended from classic Bordeaux red ...
Ostler Waitaki Valley North Otago Pinot Gris
Review: Delicious now, the 2018 vintage (5*) is part of Ostler's 'Grower Selection'. Full-bodied, it is concentrated, with vibrant, pure, ...
Passage Rock Waiheke Island Magnus
Review: The classy 2019 vintage (5*) is a rare marriage of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano, Merlot and Malbec, grown on ...
Passage Rock Waiheke Island Syrah
Review: This Waiheke Island red is consistently rewarding. The 2017 vintage (4.5*) was matured for a year in small French ...
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling
Review: Estate-grown at Waipara, the delicious 2018 vintage (5*) is packaged in a full-sized (750-ml) bottle. Bright, light yellow/green, it ...
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling Dry
Review: Bel Canto means 'Beautiful Singing'. Based on the estate's mature, ungrafted vines at Waipara, in North Canterbury, late-harvested with ...
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Barrique Matured Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon
Review: A wine with a real 'Wow!' factor, the 2019 vintage (5*) is a light gold, honey-sweet North Canterbury wine, ...
Pegasus Bay Muscat
Review: This rare, estate-grown, North Canterbury wine is made in a sturdy Alsace style, hand-picked ultra-ripe at Waipara, tank-fermented and ...
Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay
Review: Blended from the 'best barrels', this wine is hand-harvested from the company's mature, Mendoza-clone vines at Waipara. Fermented with ...
Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Outstanding in top seasons, this classic red is estate-grown mostly in the Cromwell Basin but also at Gibbston. The ...
Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Dry Riesling
Review: Estate-grown and hand-picked at Bendigo, in the Cromwell Basin, the 2017 vintage (4.5*) was fermented with indigenous yeasts in ...
Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris
Review: Estate-grown and hand-picked at two Bendigo sites, in the Cromwell Basin, the bright, light lemon/green 2018 vintage (5*) is ...
Pyramid Valley Field of Fire Chardonnay
Review: The very youthful 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown on an elevated, south-east-facing slope at Waikari, in North Canterbury. Bright, ...
Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Gris
Review: Certified organic and biodynamic, the 2020 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown at Bendigo, hand-picked, tank-fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured ...
Rippon Emma’s Block Pinot Noir
Review: From an east-facing slope, this Lake Wanaka wine has 'animated femininity', according to winemaker Nick Mills. It is typically ...
Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Riesling
Review: Tasted together in mid-2019, the 2016 to 2018 vintages were an impressive trio. Estate-grown at Rapaura, the 2018 (5*) ...
Rock Ferry Trig Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
Review: The classy, youthful 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown, 400 metres above sea level, at Bendigo, in Central Otago, hand-picked ...
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Marlborough Riesling
Review: Light and lively, the 2018 vintage (4*) was grown in the lower Brancott Valley and stop-fermented to make a ...
Seifried Winemaker’s Collection Sweet Agnes Nelson Riesling
Review: Seifried's most celebrated wine. The 2019 vintage (5*) is delicious young. Light yellow/green, it is lively and intense, with ...
Smith & Sheth Cru Omahu Syrah
Review: The refined, very age-worthy 2018 vintage (5*) was harvested from mature, 20-year-old vines in the Gimblett Gravels and barrique-matured ...
Spy Valley Envoy Johnson Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: This elegant, tightly structured wine is estate-grown in the Waihopai Valley, hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and lees-aged in ...
Spy Valley Envoy Johnson Vineyard Waihopai Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris
Review: Estate-grown in the lower Waihopai Valley, the 2017 vintage (4.5*) was harvested from vines planted in 1999 and barrel-aged ...
Spy Valley Envoy Johnson Vineyard Waihopai Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: The 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the Waihopai Valley, hand-harvested and matured in French oak barrels for 18 ...
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon
Review: The graceful 2019 vintage (4.5*) is a single-vineyard, organically certified wine, matured for 18 months in French oak barrels ...
Stonecroft Old Vine Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The impressive 2019 vintage (5*) is a rare wine – only three barrels were made. From vines planted in ...
Stonyridge Luna Negra Waiheke Island Hillside Malbec
Review: Promoted as 'like going on an energetic dance with a Cuban beauty queen', this bold, classy red is estate-grown ...
Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Pinot Noir
Review: This typically impressive red is based on the 'best vineyard parcels'. The 2017 vintage (4.5*) was matured in French ...
Tony Bish Skeetfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: Still unfolding, the pale gold 2018 vintage (5*) is based on mature, Mendoza-clone vines in the Skeetfield Vineyard at ...
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay
Review: The winery's flagship 'black label' Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay is typically intense and finely structured. Grown in the Gimblett ...
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah
Review: The 2018 vintage (4.5*) is a very age-worthy, supple, medium-bodied red, with a floral, peppery bouquet. Estate-grown, hand-harvested and ...
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve The Fusilier Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic, the 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Bannockburn, hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 11 ...
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve The Last Chance Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at Alexandra, in 'possibly the world's most southerly vineyard', the classy 2017 vintage (5*) was hand-picked, fermented with ...
Urlar Select Parcels Gladstone Pinot Noir
Review: Certified organic, the lovely 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the northern Wairarapa, hand-picked and matured in French oak ...
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: The 2019 vintage (4.5*) is part of a collaboration between Valli and Burn Cottage, involving access to each other's ...
Vavasour Anna’s Vineyard Awatere Valley Marlborough Chardonnay
Review: From a site within the original, terraced vineyard in the lower Awatere Valley, the 2017 vintage (5*) was fermented ...
Vavasour Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris
Review: A consistently impressive wine, bargain-priced. Partly (10 per cent) fermented and matured for four months in seasoned French oak ...
Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
Review: The Soler range is positioned above Reserve and below Legacy in the Vidal range. Grown at three sites, including ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay
Review: This highly impressive wine is estate-grown at Mangere, in South Auckland. The 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-picked, fermented with ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Gewürztraminer
Review: Estate-grown at Mangere, in South Auckland, the 2017 vintage (4.5*) was hand-picked and predominantly (80 per cent) fermented in ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: Already delicious, the 2018 vintage (5*) was estate-grown in the upper Awatere Valley and matured in French oak barriques ...
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: Taylors Pass Vineyard lies 100 metres above sea level in the Awatere Valley. This is typically a classic example ...
Whitehaven Greg Awatere Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Review: The 2019 vintage (4.5*) is a mouthfilling, punchy, tangy wine, fresh and forthright, with good intensity of ripely herbaceous ...
Whitehaven Greg Southern Valleys Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir
Review: The classy 2017 vintage (5*) was hand-harvested, matured for 10 months in French oak barrels, and bottled unfined and ...
Wooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
Review: Estate-grown at Cromwell, this wine is hand-picked from especially low-yielding vines. Matured for a year in French oak casks ...