Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, Australia. $20.00 (94 points, 5 Stars)

This is unmistakably cabernet with cassis, violet and dried herb aromas with a subtle cedar nuance. The concentrated palate delivers terrific fruit purity and intensity, together with fine texture and polished tannins, making it wonderfully balanced and harmonious. Gorgeously composed and fabulously drinkable. At its best: now to 2030. $20.00. www.taylorswines.com.au. March 2022.

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Central Otago, New Zealand. NZ$45.00 (95 points, 5 Stars)

A wine of great degree of elegance and poise, it's delightfully perfumed on the nose showing sweet cherry, roasted nut, mushroom and floral aromas with a hint of dried herb complexity. The concentrated palate offers refined mouthfeel and velvety flow, combined with excellent weight and stylish complexity, leading to a persistent seamless finish. At its best: now to 2032. $45.00. www.rockburn.co.nz. Aug 2021.

No. 1 Family Estate Cuvee No. 1 ‘Reserve’ Methode Traditionnelle NV
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$96.00 (96 points, 5 Stars)

Exquisitely polished and stunningly elegant, yet it is undeniably powerful and substantial. Fabulous aromas of white stone fruit, baked apple, yeast and lemon peel with seductive brioche complexity on the nose. The palate is concentrated and refined, delivering vibrant zesty flavours together with sensual mouthfeel, brilliantly supported by perfectly pitched acidity, finishing splendidly long and seamless. Profound and spectacular. Made from 100% chardonnay and matured on lees for five and a half years. $96.00. www.no1familyestate.co.nz. Feb 2018

Mud House Sub Region Series Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (93 points, 5 Stars)

A fabulous sauvignon from the Rapaura district, the intensely aromatic bouquet shows passionfruit, white stone fruit, lemon peel and Kaffir lime characters. The palate is concentrated and powerful, and delivers excellent fruit purity and vibrancy, wonderfully enhanced by refreshing acidity. At its best: now to 2020. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Sept 2017.

Misha's Vineyard 'The High Note' Pinot Noir 2013
Central Otago, New Zealand. NZ$45.00 (95 points, 5 Stars)

Consistently excellent, this 2013 wine is another gorgeous offering from this outstanding producer. Aromas of dark berry, game, truffle, thyme and almond lead to a generously fruited and richly textured palate that offers engaging savoury complexity. Wonderfully styled and immensely appealing. At its best: now to 2023. $45.00. www.mishasvineyard.com. April 2017.

Yalumba The Caley 2012
South Australia. NZ$395.00 (100 points, 5 Stars)

Exquisitely composed, perfectly poised and impeccably structured, this is an exceptional wine that wine lovers of Yalumba have been waiting for 168 years. The compelling bouquet shows dark fruit, cocoa, clove, bay leaf, almond and violet aromas with nuances of black olive and truffle. The oak infusion is discreet and seamless. It is concentrated and beautifully weighted on the palate, and exhibits silky texture, fleshy mouthfeel and loads of fine, polished tannins. The wine is pristine, yet spectacularly complex, and flows effortlessly through the palate, gradually expanding to a gloriously long, engaging finish. 2012 The Caley is a blend of Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Barossa shiraz, matured in new and seasoned French oak barrels for 22 months. At its best: 2022 to 2042. $395.00. www.yalumba.com. NZ Distributor: Negociants NZ. May 2017.

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Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz 2013 
Barossa Valley, Australia. NZ$55.00 (97 points, 5 Stars)

This latest offering lives up to its billing as one of the country’s most consistently outstanding reds. Notes of dark fruit, espresso, mocha, clove and cedar lead to a concentrated palate that is filled with succulent fruit flavours and spicy nuances, together with silky texture and rounded tannins. Plump, fleshy and undeniably gratifying, this is elegantly opulent and offers sophistication and refinement. At its best: 2023 to 2038. $55.00. www.yalumba.com. NZ Distributor: Negociants NZ. May 2017.

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2015
Auckland, New Zealand. NZ$32.00 (94 points, 5 Stars)

From a small-cropping year, this latest offering shows excellent concentration and poise. The familiar satisfying aromas of white stone fruit, rockmelon and almond with subtle vanilla complexity on the nose. The palate shows excellent focus and weight, brilliantly structured by bright acidity. Youthful, elegantly expressed and instantly appealing. At its best: now to 2023. $32.00. www.kumeuriver.co.nz. Oct 2016.

 

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Kumeu River Cremant NV
Auckland, New Zealand. NZ$50.00 (94 points, 5 Stars)

As with all other Kumeu River wines, this is impeccably composed and elegantly expressed, showing nectarine, acacia, lemon peel and yeasty notes on the nose. The palate is superfine and beautifully weighted with creamy mouthfeel and elegant fruit intensity, wonderfully enhanced by subtle savoury nuances and perfectly pitched acidity. Very long and engaging, and hugely appealing. Grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, fermented using indigenous yeasts; then secondary fermentation in the bottle with 30 months on lees; disgorged by hand. $50.00. www.kumeuriver.co.nz. Oct 2016.

Mud House Sub Region Series Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - Rapaura
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (94 points, 5 Stars)

A gorgeous sauvignon from the Rapaura district, the intensely fragrant bouquet shows nectarine, rockmelon, feijoa and lime zest characters, leading to a concentrated palate that is succulent and flavoursome. The wine offers pristine fruit flavours together with silky texture and refreshing acidity, finishing superbly long and vibrant. At its best: now to 2019. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Nov 2016.

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Mud House Sub Region Series Pinot Gris 2016 - Grovetown
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (93 points, 5 Stars)

From the Grovetown district, this delectable pinot gris offers lifted aromas of yellow stone fruit, poached pear, mandarin and floral on the nose, followed by a succulent palate that is generously expressed and richly fruited, while remaining elegant and poised. The wine is immediately appealing with plenty of tasty fruit flavours. At its best: now to 2019. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Nov 2016.

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Mud House Sub Region Series Pinot Rosé 2016 - Burleigh
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (88 points, 4 Stars)

From the Burleigh district in the Wairau Valley, this friendly rose shows white stone fruit, ripe citrus and red cherry aromas on the nose. The palate is juicy and silky, and displays attractive fruit intensity and fine texture, backed by refreshing acidity. At its best: now to 2018. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Nov 2016.

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Mud House Sub Region Series Chardonnay 2015 - Omaka
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (88 points, 4 Stars)

Grapes from the Omaka district were used for this charming chardonnay. Fragrant aromas of white stone fruit, rockmelon, lemon zest and subtle vanilla lead to a succulent palate that is beautifully rounded and creamy. The wine is elegantly expressed and delightfully drinkable. At its best: now to 2018. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Dec 2016.

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Mud House Sub Region Series Pinot Noir 2015 - The Narrows
Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$20.00 (91 points, 4.5 Stars)

Brilliantly priced, this is beautifully ripe and fragrant on the nose displaying red/black cherry, smoked game, spice and cedar characters, leading to a silky-smooth palate that is elegantly weighted and finely textured. The wine offers appealing ripe fruit flavours and subtle savoury complexity, finishing long and pleasingly dry. From the Upper Wairau Valley. At its best: now to 2019. $20.00. www.mudhouse.co.nz. Nov 2016.

Henry's Drive Syrah 2014
Padthaway, Australia. NZ$26.00 (93 points, 5 Stars)

The wine combines power and grace, and offers loads of attractive flavours. Fragrant aromas of black/blueberry, mixed spice, mint chocolate and vanilla lead to a beautifully rounded palate that offers superb fruit richness and intensity, leading to a sustained, pleasingly dry finish. Impressively fruited and wonderfully structured. At its best: now to 2024. $26.00.

NZ Distributor: Procure. www.procureliquor.co.nz. May 2016.

Marlborough, New Zealand. NZ$35.00 (95 points, 5 Stars)

The wine combines New World vibrancy with classic Burgundy elegance and complexity. Notes of stone fruit, rockmelon and floral with nuances of oatmeal, vanilla and flint lead to a concentrated palate that delivers outstanding mid palate weight and rich texture. This is symphonic and immensely attractive, and it should develop to show greater complexity and extra dimension with time. A wonderful collision of exquisite style and exceptional quality.

At its best: 2016 to 2024. $35.00. Certified organic. 340 cases made. www.twrwines.co.nz. Nov 2015.

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2012
Barossa, Australia, NZ$50.00 (98 points, 5 Stars)

A formidable wine of outstanding richness, yet it’s sophisticated at the same time. Complex aromas of black/blueberry, dark plum, floral, game and vanilla lead to a velvety palate that delivers awesome intensity and opulence. A gratifying wine from an exceptional vintage. Surely this is the best wine made under this label of fifty-year history. At its best: 2022 to 2042. $55.00. Signatory: Robert Hill-Smith (Chairman of the Board) NZ Distributor: Negociants NZ. April 2015. Click here for notes from the vertical tasting. www.yalumba.com, www.negociantsnz.com

Pask Declaration Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2010
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, NZ$50.00 (96 points, 5 Stars)

Like a beautifully carved sculpture, this has perfect symmetry and balance. Three Bordeaux grapes work in harmony, although you know who is really in charge. The presence of cabernet sauvignon, ‘The King of Grapes’, is immediate but doesn’t dominate, as the wine is filled with layers of intrigue and fabulous flavours. This is grown-up rather than groovy. Power and elegance, with classic flavours of cassis, cigar box, mixed spice and cedar with a whisper of tanned leather. It is silky and flowing with an elegant weight, stylishly framed by fine, chalky tannins. What a treat having a top-notch wine with bottle age. At its best: now to 2025. $50.00. www.pask.co.nz. June 2015.

Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Margaret River, Australia, NZ$44.00 (96 points, 5 Stars)

Charming and sumptuous, this multifaceted cabernet is packed with blackcurrant and dark plum characters as well as beautifully infused cedary oak and dried sage complexity. It is concentrated and plush on the palate with plenty of grainy tannins, providing excellent structure and finish. Great line and length. At its best: 2020 to 2032. $44.00. Click here for vertical tasting notes on Howard Park wines.  

NZ Distributor: Eurovintage www.eurovintage.co.nz  www.burchfamilywines.com.au April 2015.

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon 2nd Vintage
Coonawarra, Australia, NZ$25.00 (93 points, 5 Stars)

Very cabernet, very Coonawarra, very delicious. Fragrant aromas of cassis, dark plum, floral, mint chocolate and cedar notes lead to a succulent palate that is focused and beautifully weighted with silky texture and supple tannins. There is a whisper of smoky, spicy notes adding to the appeal and intrigue of this stylish cabernet. The wine was matured in French and American oak for 12 to 18 months, then 12 weeks in Irish Whiskey barrels. At its best: now to 2020. $25.00. NZ Distributor: Pernod Ricard NZ. April 2015.

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 1st Vintage
Barossa, Australia, NZ$25.00 (94 points, 5 Stars)

The wine shows gorgeous aromas of blackberry, vanilla, clove and cocoa on the nose, followed by a concentrated palate that is velvety and rounded with plush tannins providing excellent frame and structure. Beautifully harmonious and immensely appealing. The wine was matured in French and American oak for 12 to 18 months, then 12 weeks in Scotch Whisky barrels. At its best: now to 2020. $25.00. NZ Distributor: Pernod Ricard NZ. April 2015.