Winestate Magazine Annual 2015

HARDEST HIT BUT STILLWALKING TALL The West Australian year in review, by Mike Zekulich. She may be small in stature but Hope Metcalf has one of the biggest concentration of vibrant fruit from lower yielding vines, wonderful deepwinemaking jobs in WA - in charge at leading WA producer Sandalford. colours and well-balanced wines. “It really did not require any acid adjustment,” he said. “High natural acids in Margaret River have been a The 35-year-old is the first female appointed as senior winemaker at the phenomena in 2014, contradicting the hot year. We saved a bit of moneyhistoric Swan Valley-based producer, yet her entry into winemaking came on Tartaric.” However, picking of key reds were delayed because of rain.about by chance. Driving through the Swan from the family wheatbelt South West sauvignon blanc, especially from Pemberton, and semillonfarm at Wongan Hills, 250km north of Perth, she was inspired by the row were better than recent vintages.upon row of neatly tended vines she passed, deciding the industry wasgoing to be her career choice and not waving heads of wheat or bright During the year, Swan Valley winemakers embraced a State Governmentyellow-flowering canola which thrive in the Wongan region. plan to provide greater legislative protection in 2015 for the unique area’s prime agricultural land and district character. This comes at a time Joining Sandalford later and intrigued by its rich history, confirmed the when plans for a new water pipeline to service Perth’s growing northerndecision. The Adelaide oenology graduate says the highlight of the 2014 suburbs could endanger the wine and tourist region which celebratedvintage was the reds while the low point was storm damage that resulted 180 years of commercial winemaking in 2014. This is because twoin 50 per cent loss of prime chardonnay at Sandalford’s substantial of the three proposed pipeline routes pass through the historic area,Margaret River vineyard. Australia’s second oldest wine region, leading to warnings that at worst the disablement of the valley’s whole industry was at stake. In a submission, “It was distressing to see,” she said. “We were one of the hardest hit.” the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association said the region’sYounger vine cabernet were also damaged but by much less. However, soil structure could be ruined, vineyards destroyed and it would be anthe concentration of fruit flavours especially in the older cabernets and “economic disaster” for producers.shiraz has been the offset, though patience will be needed by consumersto check that out until the wines are ultimately released. However, plans to divert the busy Great Northern Highway which divides the valley to bypass the area brought a sigh of relief from all. So has a Overall district losses due to storm and heat damage were put at 15 State Government-backed strategic industry plan to lift the wine industryper cent by Stuart Watson, Margaret River Wine Industry Association vice out of the doldrums. Included is a doubling of exports to $100 million apresident. Even so, he rated the season as “another excellent vintage”. year by 2017 built on the State’s strength of regional fine wines.“What we lost in quantity was made up by better fruit quality,” he said. Thesudden burst of searing summer heat also damaged crops elsewhere, Speaking to the WA Wine Press Club at its annual Perth Show lunchwith some Swan Valley exposed fruit said to “have been fried”. judging chairman Brian Croser announced his retirement from the show circuit. “It’s time,” he said. In his keynote address to the club he said At Baldivis, 70km south of Perth and less than 3km from the coast, Peel WA was producing wonderful wines. “Could it do better? Yes, it could,”Estate principal Will Nairn described the heat as like a blowtorch going he said, answering his own question. “It is really at a platform now thatthrough the vineyard, wiping out his prime shiraz for the first time in 40 needs another injection to raise the capital to take it to another level, theyears. “Normally we get a slow heat build-up and the vines adjust but this next step - as California, Oregon and New Zealand have done,” he said.time it came so suddenly and hit so hard despite our vine management,”he said. “They had watering and had good colour with some under heavy Croser also spoke about ROT, the power of the retailers, over supplyleaf growth but it did not help.” The shiraz is vital to the annual Peel Estate and tax so that the news coming out of the industry was always bad.international tasting of the best 20 six-year-old shiraz from around the “We are being screwed by the retailers, have too many grapes and theworld selected from about 80. “It will be the first year we have missed since tax system is affecting us badly,’ he said. “That is the news the world1977,” Nairn said. To offset losses, Peel purchased fruit from Margaret hears of the wine industry. It is a silly profile to have when we make suchRiver but it will not be marketed as the benchmark Peel Estate old vine wonderful wines. This is changing, slowly.”shiraz now so widely known and highly respected. Regardless, there are always grinners in the wine industry - like Chris Hunter Smith, of Frankland Estate in the Great Southern, believes the and Anne Carter. Their new label, Brash Vineyard from Yallingup at theregion’s reds from the 2014 vintage will prove to be stylish, thought northern end of Margaret River, has quickly made a name for itself withprovoking and exciting, due to late maturing crops generating greater its first release, an estate grown 2013 sauvignon blanc awarded thenatural acidity without winemakers having to deal with high sugar-alcohol trophy for best from the variety at the 2014 Sydney show. The vineyardwines. “The fruit had lovely balance with good intensity of flavours,” he is owned by the Carters who are the managing partners in a groupsaid. “The whites came in with a rush initially yet had surprisingly high operation. The 18-ha vineyard was initially established and planted innatural acidity, particularly in the rieslings. But I do not believe they 2000 and previously operated under the name of Woodside Valley Estate.will prove to be as good as 2013. The low point was the length of the The wines today are made by Bruce Dukes. Only 250 cases were madeseason. It just went on and on.” Houghton chief winemaker Ross Pamment in 2013 and 300 cases in 2014.also lauded shiraz and cabernet from Frankland River because of the Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 151

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 western australiasparkling sauvignon blanc Barton Jones & blends The Brilliant CutSittella Pemberton Blanc Geographe Semillonde Blanc NV HHHH Mandalay Road Clairault Margaret Yilgarnia Denmark Sauvignon BlancVery refreshing drink with Margaret River River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 2012 HHHHzesty lemon/citrus-like fruit Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 HHHH HHHH1/2 Shows a well integratedcharacters and supported Semillon 2013 HHHHH Lovely honeysuckle-like A full bodied juicy semillon balance of tropical fruit andby great length of finely A lovely long, balanced and lift to the fragrant nose. smelling of lemon balm toasty oak. Has flavour andfocused acidity. $28 harmonious wine with a Nice and juicy in the mouth with good depth of citrus style. “A very nice drink”, powerful gooseberry nose with succulent mouthfilling fruit flavours backed by firm thought one judge. $24riesling showing a greener edge citrussy flavours. $22 acidity. Palate has great and great concentration of Rockcliffe Quarrum balance and structure. other whiteTalisman Ferguson mouthfilling fruit flavours with Rocks Great Southern varietals & blendsValley Riesling a great line of acid. $19.99 Sauvignon Blanc 3-5 $192013 HHHHH Semillon 2013 HHHHA very interesting wine 3 Oceans The Subdued and grassy on the Palmer Margaretwith simple light varietal Explorers Margaret nose, juicy in the mouth and River Semillon 2013florals on the nose. Palate is River Frankland River full of flavour and with nice HHHH1/2very tight and focused with Sauvignon Blanc grassy components and well More elegant in style.minerally fruit characters Semillon 2012 HHHHH focused acid. $17.99 Smells of lemon meringueand a spine of slate-like An elegant style of wine but Palmer Margaret pie with slight lanolin notes.acidity. $20 with a powerful lift of ripe River Sauvignon Blanc Great depth and persistenceWilloughby Park fruit aromas and some nice 2013 HHHH of fruit on the palate withKalgan Ironrock Albany toastiness evident. Charry A tight and nicely focusedGreat Southern Riesling oak sits sits on top of the style with good tropical2013 HHHH1/2 fruit flavours with a very firm aromas and flavours and aBeautiful riesling - very acid finish. $30 great line of acidity. “Haspure with delicate lime absolutely no faults,” notedand floral fragrances and Palmer Margaret one judge. $25 a creamy edge and highhints of talcum powder-like River Sauvignon acidity. 5+ $25elements and slatey acidity Blanc Semillon 2013 semillon & blendson the slightly sweet, HHHH1/2 Fermoy Estate Millbrook Perth Hillspalate. $35 Pungency of sauvignon Margaret River Viognier 2013 HHHH1/2West Cape Howe blanc on the nose and nice Semillon Sauvignon Nose is a lovely combination ofMount Barker Riesling fruit concentration and Blanc 2013 HHHH ripe apricots and rose petals.2013 HHHH persistence on the juicy A pleasantly flavoursome Luscious, rich, full bodiedA minerally lime bouquet palate with lovely balancing style with gorgeous palate with great length ofand an intense palate with acidity. “Has plenty of mouthfilling tropical pear/almond-like flavours. Hotexcellent flavour length and style”, said one judge. $25 and ripe citrus-like fruit and oily on the finish. $22mouthcoating acidity. Offers characters with a firm linegood cellaring potential. Peccavi Margaret of acidity. $22 Houghton Western Australia White Classic 5+ $19 River Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHHKerrigan & Berry Semillon 2013 HHHH1/2 A full-on white, but it hasK&B Mount Barker Nice smoky bacon-like barrel Joseph River Estate quite a subtle bouquet.and Great Southern ferment characters on the Reserve Margaret River Excellent palate length withRiesling 2013 HHHH nose. Palate has plenty of Semillon 2013 HHHHH plenty of fruit weight andSpicy citrus notes to the body, good concentration Gentle new oak evident on fine crisp acidity. $NApowerfully flinty nose the nose and a juicy palateleading to a long lean palate of fruit and nice oak support with ripe lemon pie-like Swings & Roundaboutswith an excellent line of and shows good depth and flavours showing nicemouthwatering acidity. structure. 3-5 $38 creamy notes matched by Margaret River Chenin lovely oak treatment. $28 Blanc 2013 HHHH 5+ $30 Lemon meringue intensity on Aravina Estate the nose with light honeyed Margaret River notes. The solid palate has Sauvignon Blanc Hay Shed Hill Block good textural component with Semillon 2013 HHHH 1 Margaret River A delicate passionfruit Semillon Sauvignon crisp acidity. 3-5 $22 bouquet with some floral touches. Nicely rounded Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 Barton Jones The gooseberry/guava flavours Lovely herbal lift to the Shilly Shally Geographe balanced by ripe acidity. $20 intense citrussy nose. Chenin Blanc 2011 HHHH Palate is big and bold with Lovely developed style - plenty of body and long intense and appley with persistence of candied Brygon Reserve The a creamy palate and Houghton Western fruit characters. Lively acid Bruce Margaret River high quality oak evident. Australia Sauvignon finish. 3-5 $30 Semillon Sauvignon Interesting European-like Blanc Semillon Blanc 2013 HHHH texture. $24 2013 HHHH Subdued aromas. Palate Pure citrus varietal fruit on shows good body with both the nose and the long, flavour persistence; flows crisp and elegant palate. beautifully. Great texture “Right on the money for this and some phenolics. $19.99 style”, said one judge. $NA152 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 western australiachardonnay 2013 Juniper Estate Margaret Voyager Estate Twin Cellars Clairault Margaret River River Chardonnay Margaret River Margaret River Malbec Cabernet MerlotSinglefile Family 2012 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay 2010 HHHH 2012 HHHH 2012 HHHHReserve Denmark Pale yellow wine with an A somewhat understated Still quite closed for Very leafy aromas with aChardonnay estery nose showing lovely bouquet and an elegant now but has a good hint of eucalypt greenness.2013 HHHHH subtle complexity. Masses seamlessly balanced concentration of fruit Rich and succulent red fruitVery attractive wine with of opulent oak on the palate palate with Burgundian-like character with a fine palate with long lingeringa lovely complexity on the but has the varietal fruit to characters and good acid backbone of tannins. A flavour profile. $22nose that’s a balance of oak carry it and a lovely lively spine. $45 good food wine. $NAand melon. Amazing toasty acid backbone. $35 Peccavi Margaret River Wise Margaret River Deep Woods Estatenutty complexity on the Brookland Valley Chardonnay 2010 HHHH Malbec 2012 HHHH Margaret Riverpalate for a young wine. $45 Verse 1 Margaret River Plenty of toasty/spicy oak A good commercial quaffer Cabernet SauvignonSwings & Roundabouts Chardonnay 2012 HHHH here nicely underscored by - big, soft and ripe with a Merlot 2012 HHHHBackyard Stories An elegance of white nectarine and citrus varietal balance of red and black fruit A rich and complex oak-Margaret River nectarine fruit on the nose fruit characters. Drinking characters and some lovely driven blend. Red currantChardonnay with good oak integration. well now. $52 silky smooth tannins. $28 nuances on the nose2013 HHHH A lighter style palate with Palmer Margaret River and nicely layered, well-“A good drink,” said one good ‘honest’ varietal other red varietals Malbec 2011 HHHH balanced palate. A lovelyjudge. It’s tight and slightly flavours. $NA & blends Still fresh and youthful and classy wine. $35creamy with excellent House of Cards The showing a good balance Palmer The Grandeelemony varietal characters Royals Margaret River Higher Plane The between the big chalky Cabernets Margaretand no obvious oak. $35 Chardonnay 2012 HHHH Messenger Margaret tannins and attractive cherry River Cabernet Merlot A great wine! Fresh yet River Red Blend fruit varietal characters. $45 2011 HHHHYilgarnia Denmark complex with a leanness of 2011 HHHH1/2 Great intensity, balance andChardonnay fruit characters layered with A rich wine with lifted cabernet merlot complexity of rich minty/2013 HHHH toasted almond and cashew- fragrance of plums and black fruit characters.Simple peach and melon like oak elements. $32 violets. Lots of flesh on the Windows Estate Basket Perfumed nose and softbouquet and lovely tight, Howard Park Great seamlessly balanced palate Pressed Margaret River sweet flavours that lingerwell balanced, citrus palate Southern Chardonnay with a big hit of sweet Cabernet Merlot 2011 on. $45with pure, fresh, clean and 2012 HHHH berry fruit and firm tannin HHHHH Thompson Estatefocused flavours. Needs Strong oaky/meaty aromas structure. $60 An older style with incredibly Andrea Margaret Rivertime. $19 with a smattering of leesy intense red fruit aromas and Cabernet MerlotHay Shed Hill Block notes. Excellent flavour soft rich fruit flavours with 2010 HHHH6 Margaret River intensity and complexity beautiful oak integration Very Bordeaux-like in styleChardonnay on the palate with some and softer tannins. Lovely with some terrific plumy2013 HHHH sweetness. $52 lingering finish that goes on fruit laced with earthy/Fresh “energetic” and forever! $28 tobacco-like elements.vivacious wine with chardonnay Aravina Estate Margaret Noticeable acidity. “Lovelybeautiful integration of the 2011 & older River Cabernet Merlot drink.” $40citrus fruit and the oak. 2011 HHHHNeeds more cellaring to Hillbille James Brittain Millbrook Jarrahdale A well-balanced, richreach its best. $40 Signature Blackwood Petit Verdot and juicy blend. “It’s all Chardonnay 2011 HHHH 2012 HHHH there.” Good varietal fruit,chardonnay 2012 Intense nutty oak Very tannic style with some underlying graphite-like oak dominates this well very nice juicy cherry berry and silky tannins. $28 structured wine but there’s fruit and matched with lovely Greedy Sheep Margaret a good core of citrus-like fine grained oak. Needs River Cabernet Merlot fruit underneath to support more time to settle. $22 2012 HHHH it. $48 Higher Plane Tight and bright with a well- Xanadu Reserve Margaret River Merlot balanced fleshy complexity Margaret River 2011 HHHH of strawberry-like fruit, Chardonnay 2011 HHHH A well structured merlot savoury characters, subtle Fresh nose with subtle that is soft with ripe juicy oak and fine tannins. $20 lime/herbal fragrances plum fruit, shows nice use House of Cards and long toasty flavours of oak and is supported by The Joker Margaret nicely layered with some long firm tannins. $35 River Cabernet Merlot attractive varietal fruit 2012 HHHH characters. $85 An enjoyable and well- Leeuwin Estate Art structured blend with great Series Margaret River varietal fruit intensity and Chardonnay 2010 HHHH length. Still very young A richer style chardonnay with plenty of life ahead of with nutty creamy it. 5+ $21 development on the nose and a youthful palate with good quality oak and acid balance. $85 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 153

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 western australiaWild Orchid Wines Rosenthal Western cabernet Xabregas Mount Barker Jane Brook ShovelgateBlackwood Valley Australia Cabernet sauvignon 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard MargaretCabernet Merlot Shiraz 2012 HHHH 2011 HHHH River Cabernet2010 HHHH Lovely spicy lift to the Rich leathery plum and Sauvignon 2010 HHHHA beautifully harmonious nose. Great red fruit flavour blackcurrant aromas that A delightful juicy wineleaner blend. Unique concentration on a juicy follow through to the exhibiting excellent varietalperfumed rosemary-like palate with cedary oak, seamless palate. Nice expression of leafy cabernetaromas and succulent balancing acidity and ripe spiciness, lots of oak and fruit and some well-handledpalate with terrific fruit tannins. $27.99 ripe tannins. $24 oak to balance it. $35flavours. $15 Vintners Ridge Thompson Estate Margaret River Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 HHHH 2010 HHHH A well-crafted wine; nice A beautiful perfumed style fragrances of blackcurrant of cabernet with a big hit of and leather and a seamless toasty oak, pleasant plum balance of oak, fruit and fruit and plenty of acidity to tannins on the palate. $25.99 ensure a long life. $36Umamu Estate Margaret Clairault Margaret River Brygon Reserve Bin Xanadu Margaret River Coward & Black TheRiver Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 8888 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Margaret River2008 HHHH 2012 HHHH Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 HHHH Cabernet SauvignonStill in excellent condition Dusty cedary oak nose and 2011 HHHHH A well-made wine with 2009 HHHHfor a 5 year-old with soft a lightweight, but well- “Bright, brilliant and aromas of blackcurrant Nose has nice chocolatymulberry-like fruit, gentle balanced, palate loaded beautiful,” described and dark chocolate and elements laced withoak and slightly drying with fruit cake-like flavours one judge. Some serious a seamless palate full blackcurrant fruit. Soft intannins with a high level of and drying tannins. $27 blackcurrant-like varietal of excellent flavour the mouth with great lengthacidity. $NA Red Gully Wines fruit. Great texture, long persistence. $35 and concentration of juicy Western Australia and balanced with well- flavours. $24.50cabernet sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon weighted oak and velvety cabernet sauvignon& blends 2012 2012 HHHH tannins. $19.99 2010 & older shiraz blends Generous amount of Forester EstateRedgate Margaret River blackcurrant fruit with lovely Margaret River Hay Shed Hill Margaret Deep Woods EstateCabernet Sauvignon violet nuances. Surprisingly Cabernet Sauvignon River Cabernet Shiraz et al Margaret2012 HHHHH approachable palate, some 2011 HHHH Sauvignon 2010 River Shiraz BlendA big full bodied ruby wine gum leaf notes and great A most appealing wine with HHHHH 2012 HHHHwith a lovely combination tannins. $19.95 a ripe blackcurrant fruit A pleasant head full of Lovely spicy cherry noseof sweet blackcurrant-like Redgate W.W. Ullinger nose with a cedary oak lift. cabernet fruit aromas. with a pleasant floral lift.fruit, plums and cedary oak Reserve Margaret River An elegant palate but quite Plenty of fleshy blackcurrant Nice and fleshy in the mouthcharacters. Excellent palate Cabernet Sauvignon juicy in the mouth. Lots of fruit characters and well- with plenty of sweet fruitstructure with massive 2012 HHHH spice. $37.99 handled oak on a well- and powdery tannins. $20tannins. “A very serious Very interesting wine. Windows Estate Basket structured palate which iswine.” $38 Lifted blackcurrant fruit with Pressed Margaret River all perfectly balanced by the shiraz 2013 & 2012Moondah Brook the characteristic regional Cabernet Sauvignon acid. $55Western Australia green leaf elements and 2011 HHHH 3 Oceans The ExplorersCabernet Sauvignon some fine tannins. $65 A well-made commercial Barton Jones The Top Frankland River Shiraz2012 HHHH style with a floral/licorice nose Drawer Geographe 2012 HHHHHLighter style; lovely and a great palate - good Cabernet Sauvignon A classy purple shirazpersistence of fruit cake, concentration of varietal fruit 2010 HHHH1/2 with lifted sweet red berryfloral and green leafy and ripe tannins. $35 Beautiful perfumed lift aromas and quality oak incharacters wrapped in fine Woody Nook of red berry and cedar aromas support. Tightly structuredtannins. Drink now or in the Gallagher’s Choice with a fragrant lift of violets palate with some seriousnext 2 years. $NA Margaret River and mint. Simple appealing varietal fruit with perfectly Cabernet Sauvignon fruit palate with loads of integrated tannins and good 2011 HHHH lingering flavours. $27 acidity. $36 Dusty cedary oak aromas and a palate that is Houghton Wisdom somewhat dominated by Margaret River cigar box oak but has good Cabernet Sauvignon sweet fruit depth and 2010 HHHH length. $45 An elegant cabernet, dark in colour with a minty/chocolaty/ blackcurrant bouquet and a seamlessly balanced sweet fruit palate. $NA154 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 western australiaWillow Bridge Gravel Sandalford Margaret Brookland Valley Verse shiraz 2010 & olderPit Geographe Shiraz River Shiraz 1 Margaret River Shiraz2012 HHHHH 2012 HHHH 2011 HHHH Palmer Reserve“This is terrific,” said one A very pretty spicy/violet A lovely lift of red berry Margaret River Shirazjudge about this wine. perfumed nose. Fine silky fragrances with violet 2010 HHHHExcellent combination of smooth palate with all notes and attractive Quite a dry, savoury andplum fruit and vanilla oak elements well-represented sweet fruit characters on slightly leathery shiraz with aaromas and intense black - fruit, oak, tannins and the effortlessly balanced lovely perfumed lift. Has softfruit on the palate supported acid. $20 palate. Oaky tannins. $NA spicy fruit characters andby ripe tannins. Quite a dry sweet mocha-like oak. $55finish. $30 shiraz 2011Wignalls Albany Shiraz2012 HHHH1/2 Plantaganet GreatA fine cool climate style with Southern Shirazquite a pretty nose showing 2005 HHHHlots of fruit in the raspberry/ A spicy, leathery, aged wineredcurrant spectrum with that still has some stonefruitmore of the same on the characters showing throughpalate. Good tannin/acid with a touch of earthiness.backbone. $24 Good palate structure. $70Plantaganet Great sweet white & fortifiedSouthern Shiraz2012 HHHH Deep Woods Estate St Aidan ZenaSupple sweet fruit bouquet Block 7 Margaret River Geographe Liqueurwith floral and cola notes. Shiraz 2011 HHHH Muscat NV HHHHHVelvety in the mouth with Attractive bright spicy/ Lovely amber colournice balance of savoury fruit, red berry nose and rich with a nose that shows aoak and fine tannins. $45 balanced palate with great complexity of rancio, nuts depth of dark fruit, lots and raisin aromas. Tastes3 Oceans The Estates Brygon Reserve Flying of smoky oak with silky of spicy Christmas pudding.Frankland River Shiraz High Margaret River tannins. $35 Very pleasant drinking with a2012 HHHH Shiraz 2011 HHHH drying finish. $30Attractive floral aromas with Raspberry and black Juniper Estate Margaretblack cherry and almond currants on the nose; bright River Cane Cut Rieslingmeal characters. Warm perfumed lift. Balanced 2011 (375ml) HHHHand ripe in the mouth and palate with controlling A gorgeous wine with anfull of youthful vigour and tannins and well-managed excellent complexity ofpotential. $26 oak. $19.99 tropical fruit characters with marmalade-like notes and good citrus-like acidity. $27SATHNED Here is the question. IS THE Why does our vineyard regularly produce wines of greater finesse, elegance and balance?ANSWER We believe that the sand dunes we grow on, which were 10,000 years in evolving, are the most likely answer. They give us the viticultural influences of deep drainage, elevation and low levels of nutrients. From the 2012 vintage we made 132 cases of Sands of Time Shiraz. As the name suggests it is the best expression of what our dunes can do. To check out the influence of 10,000 years of sand send us an email and we will let you know where to find your nearest wine shop. [email protected] Wines made for eating Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 155

Nature background with Vineyard in autumn harvest. Ripe grapes in fall.queensland the best wines of 2014 contents Includes: Sparkling, Dry White Blends, Other White Varietals, Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Other Dry Red Varietals, Dry Red Blends, Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz, Museum Class.156 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 queenslandsparkling Golden Grove verdelho Golden Grove Vintage Golden Grove Vintage Vermentino 2014 HHHH Grand Reserve Malbec Grand Reserve ShirazSirromet Wines Quite complex lemon and Mason Wines Verdelho 2012 HHHH1/2 2012 HHHHHSignature Collection steely flavours with notable 2014 HHHHH Clean bright and leafy Wonderful dark fruit aromasPinot Noir Chardonnay palate texture. A great wine Fresh tropical fruit black fruit style with a big on this very attractive wine.2008 HHHH to be served with a variety aromas, very aromatic generous dense palate. $45 Polished and elegant yet hasGood colour with lifted of foods. $26 with great, “drinkable deliciously juicy style. $45fruit aromas and a full dry Symphony Hill Wines softness,” commented dry red blends Just Red Wines Nikki’spalate. $35 Petit Manseng the judges. $19.50 Vineyard Syrah 2013 HHHH Symphony Hill Wines Nirvana Estate Vineyard 2013 HHHHdry white blends Interesting ester aromas Family Reserve Cabernet Merlot Attractive dark berry aromas and gripping texture with Verdelho 2014 HHHH 2013 HHHHH with very firm tannin to backGolden Grove bright freshness that follows Steely mineral acid but Spicy lifted red berry fruit it up. $16Accommodation Creek through on the palate. $30 overlaid with light fresh nose leading to a lovely clean Twisted Gum ShirazSemillon Sauvignon appealing tropical fruit. and savoury palate. $14 2012 HHHHBlanc 2014 HHHH semillon “A very elegant style,” Golden Grove Cabernet Interesting aromas of soyLifted lemon aromas in this according to the judges. $25 Merlot 2012 HHHH sauce and dense black fruitsfresh style, with very pure Loaded with leafy berry with an attractive chalky firmcharacter. Good cellaring chardonnay aromas and following tannin profile to support. $35potential. $18 through with a fresh acid palate. $15 museum classother white varietals Golden Grove Ridgemill Estate Shiraz Lucas Estate The Chardonnay Viognier 2012 HHHH McKinlay CabernetPreston Peak Wines 2013 HHHHH Black fruit aromas with Sauvignon 2006Gewurztraminer Lovely bright colour. lovely mocha character and HHHHH2010 HHHHH Complex aromas with toasty oak. $35 Elegant red berry flavoursLovely bright fresh floral lifted fruit and nicely with soft complexityand herb aromas with balanced oak. Nice palate merlot following through on thedelicate fruit and crunchy texture and freshness. palate. Holding up well foracidity to balance. $28 “A sophisticated style,” Preston Peak Wines its age. $35 thought the judges. $26 Merlot 2010 HHHHBallandean Estate Clovely Estate Sirromet Wines Appealing dense blue fruits Sirromet Wines LeMessing About Fiano Left Field Semillon Le Sauvage The aroma on the nose leading Sauvage The Wild2014 HHHH 2010 HHHH Wild Chardonnay to a lovely full palate. $32 Chardonnay 2009Bright floral aromas with hints Good colour with developed 2013 HHHH HHHHof peaches and citrus lead to toast and crème brulee Melon and fruit salad cabernet Very attractive toastya fresh zingy palate. $30 aromas; lovely developed aromas with good oak complex flinty style withBanca Ridge Getaway weight on the palate. $20 handling on a fresh and great length. Drinking wellSeries Marsanne lively palate. $89 now. $892014 HHHHNutty complex floral aroma Lucas Estate Estate Twisted Gum Cabernet Lucas Estate Theand good palate texture; Chardonnay 2009 HHHH Sauvignon 2012 HHHH Gordon Estate Shiraz“quite a Rhone-like style,” Soft rich crème brulee A nice example of style. 2008 HHHHthought the judges. $16 aroma with a rich palate. Lovely ripe mulberry fruit Delicious complex and “A great complex style,” aromas with good length savoury cherry flavours on the commented the judges. $35 and tannin structure to palate. $40 support. $40 other dry red varietals shiraz star ratings  Golden Grove Vintage Jester Hill Wines Grand Reserve Durif Touchstone ShirazThree-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of 2012 HHHHH 2012 HHHHHexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Lifted red berry and rich A big blockbuster style withAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry palate weight, a great lots of intensity and oakprofessionals and are compared in peer example of durif. $65 complexity on both the noseclasses by three judges. and palate. $22CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters,a major mail-order business.CD Cellar door price.CDO Cellar door only.SO Sold out.$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Contact information pg 190. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 157

Vineyardtasmania the best wines of 2014 contents Includes: Sparkling, Other White Varietals & Blends, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Other Red Varietals & Blends, Pinot Noir.158 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 tasmaniasparkling House of Arras House of Arras Pandora’s Box 88 Keys Pipers Brook Tasmania Brut Elite Tasmania Tasmania Pinot Noir Tasmania Pinot Gris Riesling 2013 HHHH1/2Pirie Tasmania Methode Methode Traditionnelle Chardonnay Rosé 2004 2013 HHHH Interesting combinationTraditionnelle NV NV HHHH1/2 HHHH Interesting pear and brown of citrussy aromas withHHHHH A citrussy complexity to Maraschino cherry bouquet sugar nose with some apple-like notes. The palateA delightful lift of green the nose with a good with a slight smoky note and gentle, sweet and spicy is dry, clean and quite floralapple and lemon fragrances volume of complex a hint of apples. Generous flavours on a juicy palate with good flavour length andon the nose and a tight acid red apple-like flavour and well-rounded palate with light spritz characters. lingering acid finish. $34palate offering a creamy characteristics layered with tasting of dried apples. $21.99 Relbia Estate Tasmaniamouthful of brambly-like lemon sherbet and oily $79.99 Riverdale Estate Coal Riesling 2011 HHHH1/2flavours with a hint of walnut elements. $49.99 River Valley Pinot Gris A minerally citrus bouquetEuropean ‘hessian bag’ Piper’s Brook Tasmania other white 2013 HHHH followed by quite acomplexity. $30 Methode Traditionnelle varietals & blends Lemon sherbet fragrances Germanic style of varietal 2008 HHHH1/2 lift off the nose with some palate showing a deliciousHouse of Arras A rich and complex wine Bream Creek very ‘more-ish’ floral and length of delicate limeTasmania Blanc de with aromas reminiscent of Tasmania Schonburger pineapple flavours supported cordial-like flavours. $NABlanc 2004 HHHHH red apples with a dash of 2012 HHHH1/2 by a juicy acid backbone. Freycinet VineyardA complex but elegant style marmalade. Palate offers a Attractive and unusual $25.99 Tasmania Rieslingof sparkling exhibiting a nice nutty brioche balance of aromas reminiscent of 2013 HHHHtoasty citrussy bouquet and flavours. $37 green peas and broad sauvignon blanc A pleasant grassiness to theoffering a creamy seamless Lake Barrington Estate beans. Some residual sugar nose with celery touches.mouthful of crisp orange Alexandra Tasmania on the palate with flavours Bream Creek Tasmania Palate has substance andblossom and roasted nut Methode Traditionnelle of lychees and cut grass and Sauvignon Blanc balance with grassy flavoursflavours. $79.99 2008 HHHH1/2 a glycerol-like texture. $26 2013 HHHHH mingling with florals. $25 Described by one judge as Josef SGR Delikat Very attractive stalky/herbal Holm Oak EstateHouse of Arras EJ having “A bakery nose”. SGR Tasmania Sweet varietal characters on the Tasmania RieslingCarr Late Disgorged Nice selection of peach, Riesling 2013 HHHH nose. Palate showing length 2012 HHHHTasmania Methode toast and honey aromas A sherbety citric driven and balance with good A distinct citrussy noseTraditionnelle 2001 with a light crisp floral palate style of riesling exhibiting a grassy sauvignon blanc with a hint of passionfruitHHHHH showing nutty sweetness. delicate balance between flavours and some toasty and some gingery notes.A beautifully aged sparkling $45 the residual sugar, the complexity developing. $26 A chalky lemon palate withthat still appears amazingly House of Arras Grand varietal fruit and the acid. Ninth Island Tasmania just a touch of greenness.fresh for its age. Lovely Vintage Tasmania $26 Sauvignon Blanc $24.99complexity of citrus, apricot Methode Traditionnelle Pipers Brook Tasmania 2013 HHH1/2 Bream Creek Tasmaniaand brioche-like characters 2004 HHHH1/2 Gewurztraminer Good varietal characters Riesling 2011 HHHHwith a very fine mousse. A somewhat subdued 2013 HHHH on the nose and a palate Lovely tropical fruit-like$149.99 bouquet with faint floral/ A classic gewürztraminer with great length of aromas with spicy/ginger minerally characters. Good with its lovely lychee grassy, lemony, mineral nuances and a delicateRelbia Estate Tasmania fine bead with a very bouquet and delicate but flavours. $23 varietal fruit-driven palateMethode Traditionnelle refreshing palate laced with juicy palate. “Some clever Freycinet Vineyard offering great flavour length.NV HHHH1/2 lovely fresh acidity. $69.99 winemaking,” said one Tasmania Sauvignon $26Citrussy-like fragrances with Abel’s Tempest judge. $34 Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2delicate floral-like nuances Tasmania Chardonnay Typical sauvignon blanc chardonnayand a palate that has a crisp Pinot Noir 2011 HHHH pinot gris/grigio pungency to the nose andmouthful of refreshing and A simple well-balanced a lovely mineral line to the Freycinet Vineyardlively lemon fruit flavours. sparkling with a soft and rich Ninth Island Tasmania balanced palate. Some Tasmania Chardonnay$NA baked apple bouquet and Pinot Grigio 2013 residual sugar and grassy 2012 HHHHH a nutty, cashew, red apple HHHH1/2 flavours mingling with A beautifully soft andNinth Island Tasmania flavour profile. $31.99 A fabulous varietal nose tropical fruit. $25 creamy style of chardonnayMethode Traditionnelle Clover Hill Piper’s River layered with tropical/ with lively aromas and lovelyNV HHHH1/2 Methode Traditionnelle lychee and spicy aromas. riesling long lingering flavours ofA lovely nose - smells of 2009 HHHH A lightweight palate, nectarines and peacheslemons and green apples Smells of honey apples with seamlessly balanced and White Rock Vineyard layered with great oak andwith a honeyed note. The a hint of ginger. Nice palate nicely rounded with faint Tasmania Riesling malo characters. $35palate is complex with high weight and richness with pear-like flavour profile. $23 2013 HHHHH Moorilla Muse Tasmanialevel of acid and mouthfilling good concentration and Cape Bernier Tasmania Lovely light lime-like Chardonnay 2012spicy red apple flavours. $27 length of flavours. $50 Pinot Gris 2013 riesling varietal fruit aromas HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 on the nose with flavours Sweet oak fragrances A delightful spicy lift to the more at the tropical end of layered with touches of apple-like bouquet. Smooth the flavour spectrum and tropical fruit and floral notes. and rounded in the mouth nicely underscored by the Palate is a nice balance of with a big hit of apple and acidity. $25 oak, caramel and mealy-like pear-like flavours and a characters. Some alcohol glycerol-like mouthfeel. $28 warmth. $40 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 159

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 tasmania other red Home Hill Kelly’s Riverdale Centaurus Relbia Estate Tasmania varietals & blends Reserve Tasmania Pinot Coal River Valley Pinot Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH Noir 2012 HHHHH Noir 2012 HHHH1/2 Smells like the forest floorCape Bernier Nocton Vineyard A pretty wine with a dark Leafy dark fruit bouquet laced with dark berries.Tasmania Chardonnay Tasmania Merlot dense integration of plum laced with blackcurrant Soft and elegant in the2011 HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH1/2 and oak aromas and nicely elements and subtle mouth with delicateSmells of white peaches A very attractive savoury structured palate with vanillin notes. A big silky strawberry flavours. Goodlayered with some oak style of merlot. Slightly powerful varietal fruit and smooth palate full of cherry tannic spine. $NAand floral nuances. Palate simple palate with a soft underscored by some quite fruit flavours. Good oak White Rock Vineyardoffers a generous volume of but firm structure, plenty drying tannins. $50 integration. $47.99 Tasmania Pinot Noirvarietal fruit flavours with a of good jubey plum fruit Devil’s Corner Tasmania Moorilla Muse Tasmania 2013 HHHHnice nutty character. $36 and a very good tannin Pinot Noir 2013 Pinot Noir 2012 Subdued aromas; a touchRelbia Estate structure. $27 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 musky and spicy. Soft andTasmania Chardonnay White Rock Vineyard Musky red cherry bouquet Sweet, soft and nicely well-rounded in the mouth2013 HHHH Dawn Red Tasmania with violet-like nuances and rounded style brimming over with cherry-like fruit, stalkyHints of tropical notes to Dornfelder 2013 HHHH a long lingering strawberry with sweet cherries and notes and good tannins. $28the citrussy nose with a Subtle cherry and violet and cream varietal fruit berries, some violet notes Laurel Bank Tasmaniagenerosity of bright simple aromas with gentle palate with balancing oak and hints of spices. Good Pinot Noir 2011 HHHHtropical fruit flavours spices. Interesting palate, and bold tannins. $19 oak backbone. $48 A fuller style smelling ofwith some residual sugar firm in the mouth with Holm Oak Tasmania Pressing Matters Coal dark fruits edged withsweetness. $NA lingering raisined fruit-like Pinot Noir 2012 River Valley Pinot Noir violet notes. A strawberry-Nocton Vineyard characters. $36 HHHH1/2 2012 HHHH1/2 like palate with leatheryTasmania Chardonnay Cape Bernier Dark brooding bouquet A very attractive bright complexity and fresh2013 HHHH Tasmania Pinot Noir of berries and violets. jammy fruit bouquet acidity. $33A distinctive peaches and Rosé 2012 HHHH Good weight, length and followed by a very pleasant, Cape Bernier Tasmaniacream style of chardonnay An attractive creamy generosity of sweet varietal and slightly sweet, fruit Pinot Noir 2011 HHHHwith a slightly oily pinot nose smelling of red fruit characters with lovely palate showing a good level Juicy and generousmouthfeel and a reasonable cherries and strawberries. long chocolaty tannins. $32 of oak to match. $49 wine with plenty of darkamount of acidity. $23 The palate offers a Josef Chromy Tasmania Freycinet Vineyard confectionery sweet fruit mouthful of sweet rhubarb Pinot Noir 2012 Tasmania Pinot Noir nicely integrated with the flavours. $28 HHHH1/2 2012 HHHH1/2 oak and showing a good A big, slightly dry, style Nose of dark cherries with level of tannins. $36 of pinot noir sporting a hint of herbs and leafyJosef Chromy Tasmania pinot noir dark cherry and cedary greens. Simple but attractiveChardonnay 2013 oak aromas with some green fruit palate developingHHHH Resolution Vineyard very generous sweet fruit some complexity. JustA bright fresh style with a Tasmania Pinot Noir flavours and nice tannic needs more time in themélange of tropical fruit, 2012 HHHHH backbone. $34 cellar. $58melons and citrus and just A fabulous richness of Home Hill Tasmania Pressing Matters Coala faint hint of oak and some violets, forest floor and Pinot Noir 2012 River Valley Pinot Noirwarming alcohol. $34 eucalypt-like fragrances. HHHH1/2 2011 HHHH1/2 The palate is lovely and A soft silky smooth style Very attractive lifted varietalPepik Tasmania long and elegant tasting of with dark dense leafy fruit aromas and lingeringChardonnay 2012 HHHH strawberries and cream with characters, cedary oak, nice flavours of dark cherries,A very pretty wine with some floral notes. $NA spiciness and all wrapped spicy oak, floral nuances anddelicate citrus and pome fruit- up in some drying wood some raisin-like complexity.like characters edged with tannins. $36 Ripe tannins and crunchyhints of honey dew melon acidity. $49and crunchy acidity. $23 Spring Vale Freycinet Bream Creek Tasmania Coast Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2010 star ratings  2012 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 A big fruit bomb of a pinot Soft and sweet pinot styleThree-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of with pretty floral fragrances, with a lovely generosity ofexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. showing dark fruit elements. red cherry and violet-likeAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Soft and simple in the fruit characters with floralprofessionals and are compared in peer mouth with an almost cola- touches. Still quite closedclasses by three judges. like flavour profile. $40 needs a little more time toCM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, shine. $35a major mail-order business.CD Cellar door price.CDO Cellar door only.SO Sold out.$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Contact information pg 190. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years).160 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

A Worldwide Passion IBITIONEXH COM 2015 V I N I TA LY. V I N ITA LY 49th EDITIO N V ERO N A M A RC H 22-2 5organized by together with VERONA, MARCH 21 2015 Premier Event at Vinitaly operawine.itFOLLOW ON VINITA LY.COM FOR INFORMATION [email protected]

Cloudy Bay, Central Otagon ezwealan d the best wines of 2014 contents Includes: Sparkling, Other White Varietals & Blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, Rosé, Other Red Varietals & Blends, Pinot Noir, Merlot & Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends, Syrah, Sweet White.

OPTIMISM BLOSSOMS The New Zealand year in review, by Michael Cooper.AS DEMAND SURGESHARD on the heels of the bumper 2013 vintage in New Zealand, 2014 many people have invested in vineyards that aren’t really needed.”produced an even bigger crop, equivalent to an extra seven million cases (or Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, disagreed with Wilson,84 million bottles) of wine to sell. But the good news is that overseas demandfor the country’s wine is skyrocketing. In the UK, New Zealand is now the saying further vine plantings are required. Gregan believes a large crop wassecond largest supplier of wine in the premium (over seven pounds per bottle) necessary in 2014 to supply the industry’s growing international demand. Inmarket, trailing only France. the year to June 2014, the value of New Zealand’s wine exports exceeded $1.3 billion. “The big difference between now and 2008 is that there are no There’s a growing sense of optimism in the air. The wine industry has passed new vineyards coming into production over the next three years… we are just“a real turning point”, according to New Zealand Winegrowers, pointing to as likely to have small as large harvests over that time.”rising prices, a better balance between supply and demand, and soaringexport sales. Wine is now generating a greater income for the country than Australia is the country’s biggest overseas market for wine, in volume termsfish, kiwifruit - even butter. absorbing 28 per cent of exports. But the fastest-growing international markets are in northern Europe and North America (where sales to the US this year But the only wineries making much money are the big players. A financial soared by 16 per cent).survey by Deloitte in late 2013 found the largest companies, with annualrevenues exceeding $20 million, posted an average profit of 16 per cent, The quality of the 2014 wines will be a mixed bag. After a warm season,but most small producers, with revenues of under $5 million, are struggling many winegrowers, especially in the North Island, processed an early harvest,to break even. This widening profitability gap, Deloitte predicted, would lead but in April, exceptionally high rainfall disrupted the vintage in Marlborough,to mergers and acquisitions among the country’s 700-odd wine producers, Nelson and Canterbury.while attracting the interest of rich overseas investors. In Marlborough, “those who got their fruit in before the skies opened are Chinese companies have recently invested heavily in New Zealand’s vineyard rubbing their hands with glee,” reported New Zealand Winegrower. “Theland. Lion NZ, a subsidiary of the Japanese brewing giant, Kirin, this year others are ruing heavy, slow-ripening crops and uncharacteristic weather.”purchased Morton Estate. Two prestigious producers, Trinity Hill, in Hawke’sBay, and Martinborough Vineyard, in the Wairarapa, have been snapped up Low alcohol wines – “lighter on the lips and hips”, according to Constellationby wealthy Americans. NZ, owner of the Kim Crawford and Nobilo brands - are the focus of a new $17 million research project, to be funded by the government and 16 wineries. “Is there a place for the small producer anymore?” pondered Simon Clark, of The goal is to produce light wines (typically harbouring less than 10 per centClark Estate, in the Awatere Valley, after the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival. alcohol by volume, although a bit more residual sugar than usual, to add“People coming to the festival expect to be able to find the brands they know and weight on the palate), by perfecting “natural” production techniques such aslove. But so often it is the smaller companies that make the whole experience reducing the grapes’ exposure to sunlight and earlier harvesting rather thanone to remember because the punters come away having ‘found’ something using existing processing methods such as reverse osmosis.special. Would the magic still be there if these boutique brands didn’t exist?” Matua Valley, owned by Treasury Wine Estates, reports that its First Frost Small wineries together with the “boutique” brands created by big companies Sauvignon Blanc is selling well in Australia. “A lot of the drive in consumptionadd colour and depth to the New Zealand wine scene. According to New comes from lunches and after-work drinks,” says winemaker Nikolai St George.Zealand Winegrowers, just 35 per cent of the country’s grape harvest in “With the larger city bases over there, you have more of a culture of business2013 - slightly more in 2014 - was processed by overseas-controlled wineries. lunches, and if you’re having them with wine, you’re really watching what you drink and conscious of how much you are drinking. I think that’s where a low Think New Zealand wine… think sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and Marlborough. alcohol wine comes into its own.”That’s the conclusion to draw from the latest national vineyard survey, whichreveals that Marlborough has 65 per cent of the total area. Sauvignon blanc When UK-based Beveragedaily.com queried whether New Zealand wasdominates white-wine plantings, with 73 per cent of the total area, and among “pushing glorified grape juice”, a spokesperson for the Ministry for Primaryred-wine grapes, pinot noir is similarly dominant (70 per cent). Industries replied that “lifestyle wines provide a significant opportunity for market growth”. The seven-year program aims to position New Zealand as the The hottest topic in the wine industry lately has been the size of the 2014 world’s leading supplier of “healthy”, high quality, low-alcohol, low-calorie wines.vintage. It was huge - the national grape harvest of 445,000 tonnes exceededthe previous record, set in 2013, by 29 per cent. This year’s crop was two- On the home front, wine lovers have been affected by a new law that preventsthirds larger than 2010 and more than double the size of the 2007 harvest. retailers from advertising discounts in the media (although not in-store) of more than 25 per cent. The old practice of “pricing up” to “price down” - inflating the Are winegrowers facing a repeat of the oversupply issue that drove prices so-called “normal” price to create a bigger perceived “discount” - certainlydown between 2008 and 2011? “Sadly, this year there’s a big danger that attracted buyers, but that bottle of $25 wine, discounted by $10, usually tastedwe’ll have a glut again,” said Robert Wilson, co-founder of Trinity Hill. “So just like a $15 wine. Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 163

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandsparkling Tohu Rewa Methode Coopers Creek SV Petit Clos by Clos Henri Mount Riley 17 Valley Traditionnelle Allison Gisborne Marlborough Sauvignon Marlborough SauvignonDeutz Prestige Marlborough Blanc de Marsanne 2013 HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHHH Blanc 2012 HHHH1/2Marlborough Cuvee Blancs 2011 HHHH Full-bodied, fleshy dry wine, Fleshy and concentrated, Barrel-fermented style,2010 HHHHH Fragrant, yeasty bouquet. with ripe stonefruit flavours, with substantial body, full-bodied and fleshy, withThis notably refined, rich Crisp, searching palate, showing good power, lees-ageing complexity, and strong, ripe, tropical fruitwine was blended from with citrusy, mealy, yeasty harmony and persistence. $24 strong, ripe, passionfruit/ flavours, finely integrated oak,chardonnay (65 per cent) flavours and a tight-knit, dry, Coopers Creek SV lime flavours. Floral, full and good complexity and a dry,and pinot noir (35 per cent), lingering finish. (100 per cent Bell-Ringer Gisborne rich. Certified organic. Great well-rounded finish. $24 (A)and disgorged after three chardonnay, disgorged after Albarino 2013 HHHH value at $20. (A, UK, US) VNO Marlboroughyears on its yeast lees. 20 months on lees.) $34 (A, Crisp, tight, medium-bodied Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvignon BlancWeighty and full-flavoured, UK, US) wine, with youthful, delicate Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2it is yeasty, nutty, toasty peach, nectarine and spice 2013 HHHHH Aromatic and refined, withand complex, with a creamy other white flavours that linger well. $24 Fleshy, generous wine impressive body and depthtexture and a finely balanced, varietals & blends Greenhough Hope from the lower Wairau of fresh, ripe tropical fruitlingering finish. $45 Vineyard Nelson Pinot Valley. Mouthfilling, with flavours. Finely balanced,Deutz Marlborough Villa Maria Cellar Blanc 2012 HHHH vibrant, ripe passionfruit/ rich and weighty. (FromCuvee Blanc de Blancs Selection Hawke’s Bay Lemon-scented, mouthfilling lime flavours and a dry, long Constellation NZ.) $222009 HHHH Viognier 2013 HHHHH and dry, in a complex style finish. $22 (A, UK) Omihi Hills WaiparaScented, crisp wine with A great buy. Aromatic, with citrusy, appley and Selection Sauvignonstrong, citrusy, nutty, slightly fleshy and vibrant, spicy flavours, youthful and The Fuder Single Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2buttery flavours, good with concentrated, ripe generous. Enjoyed by all Vineyard Selection Fleshy, sturdy wine, withweight and complexity, and flavours, complexity from judges. $32 Dillons Point a strong surge of ripe,a yeasty, long finish. $45 fermentation in tanks (34 Matawhero Church Marlborough Sauvignon tropical fruit flavours,Akarua Methode per cent) and French oak House Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2012 HHHHH gently seasoned with oakTraditionelle Brut barrels (66 per cent), and Blanc 2013 HHHH Gently oaked bouquet. and a dry, well-rounded,Central Otago a finely textured, smooth, Crisp and lively, youthful Mouthfilling, notably lasting finish. (FermentedNV HHHH long finish. “Alluring” wine, with dryish lemon, complex and tightly and matured in seasonedPale, crisp and lively blend and “opulent”, noted the apple and pineapple flavours, structured wine with French oak barriques.) Fineof pinot noir (54%) and judges. $19.99 showing excellent varietal very impressive weight, value. $19.90chardonnay (46%), estate- Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay purity, drive and length. $28 mouthfeel and richness. Brightwater Vineyardsgrown at Bannockburn. Chenin Blanc 2013 HHHH Cable Bay Edwards Still very youthful. (From Nelson SauvignonLemony, appley, gently Weighty wine with Vineyard Waiheke Island Giesen.) $50 (A, UK, US) Blanc 2013 HHHHyeasty flavours, showing strong, youthful lemon/ Viognier 2012 HHHH Babich Family Estates Fleshy and sweet-fruited,excellent freshness and apple flavours, a touch of Mouthfilling, generous Cowslip Valley with ripe, tropical fruitharmony. $32 (A, UK) complexity from partial barrel wine, barrel-aged, with Marlborough Sauvignon flavours, balanced acidity andAkarua Methode fermentation, and a slightly good mouthfeel and strong, Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 good texture. Elegant, tightlyTraditionelle Central creamy and nutty, dryish, peachy, slightly oaky flavours. Weighty, fleshy, Waihopai structured wine, enjoyed byOtago Rosé Brut lingering finish. $21 (UK) Ageworthy. $35 Valley wine with all judges. $20 (A, US)NV HHHH Elephant Hill Hawke’s concentrated, ripe, tropical Greenhough NelsonPale pink, vivacious blend Bay Viognier sauvignon blanc fruit flavours, enlivened Sauvignon Blancof pinot noir (56%) and 2013 HHHH by fresh acidity, a touch 2013 HHHHchardonnay (46%), estate- Fresh, lifted aromatics, pure, Giesen The August of complexity, and a well- Tangy, lively wine with goodgrown at Bannockburn. peachy and floral. Weighty Marlborough Sauvignon rounded, sustained finish. $25 intensity. Stylish, with anLight and lively, with yeasty, and fleshy, with rich, Blanc 2012 HHHHH Brancott Estate Letter array of fruit flavours and abready aromas and flavours, ripe flavours and a finely Powerful, fleshy, barrel- Series ‘B’ Marlborough crisp, dry finish. $22smooth, dryish and long. textured, lengthy finish. $29 fermented style with a Sauvignon Blanc Pegasus Bay Sauvignon$35 (A, UK) Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay floral bouquet, rich, ripe 2013 HHHH1/2 Blanc SemillonDeutz Marlborough Verdelho 2013 HHHH fruit flavours, impressive Concentrated, with some 2012 HHHHCuvee Rosé 2008 HHHH Sturdy, aromatic, dryish complexity and a lasting “sweaty armpit” aromas Fresh and lively, with crisp,Pale pink, lively, slightly wine, with generous, finish. Clearly oak-influenced, and tightly structured, well- youthful melon/lime flavours,sweet style with a floral ripe, tropical fruit flavours, but balanced by concentrated ripened passionfruit, lime showing excellent ripenessbouquet and strawberry/ woven with fresh acidity, fruit. $40 (A, UK, US) and guava flavours. Weighty, and harmony. Tightlyspice flavours, showing good and a slightly spicy, long Grove Mill Marlborough dry and generous. $38 structured, ageworthy wine,complexity and length. $45 finish. Enjoyed by all Sauvignon Blanc The Crossings with a persistent finish. $29Saint Clair Vicar’s judges. $21 (UK) 2013 HHHHH Marlborough Sauvignon (A, UK, US)Choice Marlborough Villa Maria Single Weighty and punchy, with Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 Renato NelsonSauvignon Blanc Vineyard Ohiti Gravels vibrant, concentrated melon, Awatere Valley wine, fleshy Sauvignon BlancBubbles 2013 HHHH Arneis 2013 HHHH gooseberry and fresh-cut and smooth, with sweet- 2013 HHHHLight and vivacious, with Lemony and lively, grass flavours, and a finely fruit characters, a minerally Fresh, slightly grassygood intensity of fresh with mouthfilling body, balanced, long finish. Foley streak, and an attractive aromas lead into anmelon, passionfruit and good vigour, a touch of Family Wines. A top buy at mix of tropical fruit and intensely varietal, vibrantlime flavours, and a finely complexity from partial $20. (A, US) herbaceous flavours. (From wine, with zesty melon, limebalanced,appetisingly crisp, barrel fermentation and a Yealands.) $20 (A, UK, US) and green capsicum flavoursdry finish. A top example of long, dry finish. $32 that linger well. $18the style. $19.50164 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandBabich Black Label Babich Winemakers’ Harwood Hall Saint Clair Pioneer Stoneleigh LatitudeMarlborough Sauvignon Reserve Marlborough Marlborough Sauvignon Block 18 Snap Block Marlborough SauvignonBlanc 2013 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2013 HHHH Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHHWeighty, finely balanced, 2013 HHHH Freshly herbaceous and Blanc 2013 HHHH “Sweaty armpit” aromasfleshy wine, with ripe, Sturdy, dry wine with strong, punchy, with aromatic Very fresh and lively, with lead into a sweet-fruitedpassionfruit-like flavours, ripe fruit flavours, good intensity and very good good weight, some citrusy wine, with fresh, ripe,showing good concentration, drive through the palate, delicacy and depth of and “salty” notes, and a passionfruit/lime flavours,and a well-rounded finish. and a hint of oak-derived flavour. $20 strong surge of ripe melon/ finely balanced and strong.$25 (A, UK, US) complexity. “Slightly Mount Riley lime flavours. $26 (US) A classic Rapaura styleOsawa Prestige semillon-like,” wrote one Marlborough Sauvignon Saint Clair Vicar’s (north side of the WairauCollection Hawke’s Bay judge. $30 (A, US) Blanc 2013 HHHH Choice Marlborough Valley). $28Sauvignon Blanc Clifford Bay Full-bodied, with ripe, Sauvignon Blanc Stoneleigh Rapaura2013 HHHH Marlborough Sauvignon tropical fruit flavours, a 2013 HHHH Series MarlboroughWeighty, creamy-textured Blanc 2013 HHHH hint of passionfruit, good Fresh, with tropical fruit Sauvignon Blancwine, with strong, ripe, Full-bodied regional blend, concentration and a tight, and herbaceous characters, 2013 HHHHtropical fruit flavours, nutty, with strong, fresh, vibrant dry, well-balanced finish. good weight and strong “Sweaty armpit” aromas,mealy, barrel ferment melon/lime flavours, lively Priced sharply. $18 (A, UK) passionfruit, melon and green noted by all judges.characters (noted by all acidity and a persistent Peter Yealands Low capsicum flavours. $20 (A, US) Generous, full-bodied winejudges) adding complexity, finish. Top value from Alcohol Marlborough Saint Clair Wairau with ripe, tropical fruitand excellent balance and Foley Family Wines. Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Marlborough flavours, finely balanced, drydepth. $43 $14.50 (A, UK, US) 2013 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc and rich. $31Vidal Reserve Organic Coopers Creek Attractive, low alcohol style, 2013 HHHH The Fuder SingleHawke’s Bay Sauvignon Marlborough Sauvignon estate-grown in the Wairau Classic Wairau Valley style, Vineyard SelectionBlanc 2013 HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHH Valley. Fresh and fruity, fleshy, sweet-fruited and Matthews LaneAromatic, full-bodied wine, Rich, tropical fruit-flavoured very pure and correct, with generous, with mouthfilling Marlborough Sauvignonwith fresh, ripely herbaceous wine with a creamy texture very satisfying depth of ripe body and vibrant, Blanc 2012 HHHHflavours, hints of lime and and a touch of complexity. fruit aromas and flavours. passionfruit/lime flavours, Slightly oaky bouquet. Full-parsley, and a touch of Finely balanced, with Enjoyed by all judges. $19 rounded, dry and persistent. bodied and fleshy,barrel-ferment complexity. excellent depth. Great Peter Yealands One judge scored it five with concentrated tropicalVibrantly fruity, zingy and value. $18 Marlborough Sauvignon stars. $34 (A) fruit flavours and a hint ofrefreshing, with discrete, Dashwood Marlborough Blanc 2013 HHHH Sanctuary Marlborough nuts adding complexity.well-handled oak. $21 Sauvignon Blanc Freshly aromatic, 3:1 blend Sauvignon Blanc $50 (A, UK, US)Babich Family 2013 HHHH of Awatere Valley and 2013 HHHH Tinpot Hut MarlboroughEstates Tetley Brook Crisp, lively blend of Wairau Valley fruit, with Punchy, Wairau Valley Sauvignon BlancMarlborough Sauvignon Awatere Valley and Wairau vibrant, green capsicum- wine, with fresh citrusy 2013 HHHHBlanc 2013 HHHH Valley fruit. Fresh, pure like characters to the fore and herbaceous flavours, Lively, herbaceous, medium-Grown south of the and zingy, with a basket of and very good balance and vibrant, dry, finely balanced bodied wine, with intenselyAwatere Valley, this is an fruit flavours and very good depth. $19 (A, UK) and strong. (Foley Family varietal, melon and greenaromatic, fleshy, rounded depth, balance and weight. River Farm Marlborough Wines.) $18 (UK) capsicum aromas andwine, with melon, lime and A great buy at $14. (Foley Sauvignon Blanc Sherwood Estate flavours. Good freshness,capsicum flavours showing Family Wines.) (A, UK, US) 2013 HHHH Signature Family concentration and purity.very good depth, and a Esk Valley Marlborough Mouthfilling and crisp, Marlborough Sauvignon $22 (A, UK)smooth finish. $25 Sauvignon Blanc with “tomato stalk” notes Blanc 2013 HHHH Tohu Mugwi ReserveBabich Family Estates 2013 HHHH and strong melon, green Full-bodied and fleshy, Marlborough SauvignonWakefield Downs Fleshy and ripe, with good capsicum and lime flavours, with fresh, ripe tropical Blanc 2012 HHHHMarlborough Sauvignon weight and fresh tropical tight and lingering. $20 fruit flavours, showing Barrel-fermented style, withBlanc 2013 HHHH fruit flavours, showing good Saint Clair Pioneer good richness. Finely a slightly creamy texture andFreshly herbaceous aromas richness. $24 Block 2 Swamp Block textured, with real good richness of tropicallead into a crisp, punchy Georges Michel Swan’s Marlborough Sauvignon drinkability. $19 (A, UK, US) fruit flavours. Some herbalAwatere Valley wine, with Flight Marlborough Blanc 2013 HHHH Spy Valley Envoy notes, with a toasty overlay.a minerally streak and good Sauvignon Blanc Punchy, ripely herbaceous Marlborough Sauvignon $30 (A, UK, US)intensity of gooseberry, 2012 HHHH style, with plenty of flesh Blanc 2011 HHHH Tohu Single Vineyardgreen capsicum and lime Excellent example of the and fresh, strong, pure Fleshy and full-bodied, with Marlborough Sauvignonflavours. $25 (UK) Rapaura (Wairau Valley) passionfruit/lime flavours. $26 vibrant, ripe, tropical fruit Blanc 2013 HHHHBabich Marlborough style, with mouthfilling body Saint Clair Pioneer flavours seasoned with oak, Freshly scented, herbaceousSauvignon Blanc and fresh, ripe, tropical fruit Block 3 43 Degrees good complexity and a dry Awatere Valley wine, with2013 HHHH flavours, showing good Marlborough Sauvignon finish. Still drinking well. good weight and livelyWeighty, dry wine with concentration. $19 Blanc 2013 HHHH One judge scored it five melon, lime and greenfresh tropical fruit - rather Giesen The August Generous, weighty wine, stars. $31 capsicum flavours that lingerthan herbaceous - flavours, Marlborough Sauvignon with fresh, crisp, tropical Starborough Family well. $20 (A, UK, US)showing excellent richness, Blanc 2011 HHHH fruit flavours, showing Estate Marlboroughripeness and roundness. Fresh, creamy-textured excellent ripeness and Sauvignon BlancA very drinkable style. wine, with mouthfilling depth. $26 (A, UK) 2013 HHHH$22 (A, UK, US) body and very good depth Refined, subtle aromatics. of tropical fruit flavours, Full-bodied, with attractive, delicately seasoned tropical fruit and herbaceous with oak. Maturing very notes, showing good purity gracefully. $40 (A, UK, US) and concentration. $22 (A) Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 165

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandVavasour Awatere Yealands Estate Babich Family Estates Sherwood Estate gewürztraminerValley Marlborough Single Block M2 Cowslip Valley Stoney Range WaiparaSauvignon Blanc Marlborough Sauvignon Marlborough Riesling Valley Riesling Brancott Estate Letter2013 HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHH 2012 HHHH 2013 HHHH Series P MarlboroughClassic Awatere Valley Scented, punchy, lower Fleshy, dryish style with Distinctly medium style, Gewurztraminer 2012style, with strong, fresh Wairau Valley wine, with good weight and richness with tangy acidity, very good HHHHHmelon, green capsicum and cut grass and passionfruit of peach, lemon and lime depth of vibrant, citrusy Fleshy, weighty and rich,“tomato stalk” aromas, aromas, good weight, flavours and a lengthy finish. flavours and a lengthy with an intensely aromaticlively acidity, some riper, vigour and intensity, and a $25 (UK, US) finish. (Also sold under the bouquet of rose petal, spicepassionfruit flavours and a finely balanced, dry finish. Fromm Riesling Sherwood Estate Stratum and ginger, a hint of honey,long finish. (Foley Family $28 (A, UK) Spatlese 2013 HHHH brand.) Wonderful value. and concentrated, gentlyWines.) $22 (A, UK, US) Yealands Estate Single Scented and light-bodied, $14.95 (A, UK, US) sweet, apricot and spiceVilla Maria Cellar Vineyard Marlborough with finely balanced, gently Terrace Edge Liquid flavours. “Yum,” wrote oneSelection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc sweet, citrusy, appley Geography Waipara judge. $38Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHH flavours. Vivacious, with drink- Valley Riesling2013 HHHH Good immediacy, with ripely young appeal. $35 (A, UK) 2012 HHHH Mount RileyDistinctly tropical fruit herbaceous aromas and Light-bodied and still Marlboroughstyle, showing good weight flavours, fresh and strong. 36 Bottles Central youthful, with citrusy, Gewurztraminerand depth through the Scented, with excellent Otago Riesling appley, limey flavours, a 2013 HHHHHpalate, leading to a long, delicacy and depth. Estate- 2013 HHHH distinct splash of sweetness Exotically perfumed. Weightydry finish. $24 grown in the Awatere Scented, medium-dry style and excellent delicacy, depth and well-rounded, with veryVilla Maria Reserve Valley. $25 (A, UK) from Bannockburn with and harmony. $19.50 (A) ripe, gently sweet lychee andClifford Bay excellent vigour, balance Highfield Marlborough spice flavours, showing lovelyMarlborough Sauvignon riesling and depth of lemony, appley Riesling 2012 HHHH delicacy, harmony and length.Blanc 2013 HHHH flavours. One judge scored it Slightly honeyed bouquet. A top buy at $18.Highly aromatic style, with Greenhough Apple five stars. $26 Distinctly medium style, withvivid, herbaceous flavours, Valley Nelson Riesling Black Stilt Waitaki fresh, pure lemon, lime and Villa Mariashowing excellent vibrancy, 2013 HHHHH Valley Riesling slight passionfruit flavours, Ihumatao Vineyardpurity and pungency. $27 Pale, Mosel-like wine, with 2013 HHHH lively acidity and good GewurztraminerVilla Maria Reserve lovely lightness, delicacy Punchy North Otago wine intensity. $21 (A, UK, US) 2013 HHHHHWairau Valley and depth. Fresh, appley, with good intensity of fresh Saint Clair Marlborough Enticingly perfumed, spicyMarlborough Sauvignon tangy, gently sweet lemon, apple and spice Riesling 2013 HHHH bouquet. Highly attractive,Blanc 2013 HHHH flavours, with a hint of “wet flavours and an off-dry, crisp Fresh, punchy, medium-dry richly varietal wine, mediumClassic sub-regional stone”, and an inviting, finish. Priced sharply. $18 style, with tangy acidity and to full-bodied, with citrusy,style, with mouthfilling floral bouquet. $22 Mondillo Central Otago excellent depth, delicacy spicy flavours, fresh, youthfulbody and rich, ripe fruit Riverby Estate Eliza Riesling 2013 HHHH and potential. Enjoyed by all and lasting. Well worthflavours. Weighty and well- Marlborough Riesling Slightly off-dry style from judges. $22 (UK) cellaring. (Estate-grown inrounded. $27 2012 HHHHH Bendigo with good acid Spy Valley Marlborough Auckland.) $32Villa Maria Single Rich, floral, slightly spine and excellent depth Riesling 2013 HHHHVineyard Southern honeyed bouquet. of vibrant, citrusy, limey Fragrant, citrusy bouquet, Bladen MarlboroughClays Marlborough Medium-sweet style, with flavours. $28 (US) with hints of sherbet and Gewurztraminer 2013Sauvignon Blanc lovely concentration of Peregrine Central Otago honey. Strong lemony HHHH1/22013 HHHH vibrant, ripe, peach and Riesling 2010 HHHH flavours, with a slightly oily Intensely varietal, with richWell-rounded, full-bodied apricot flavours, showing Maturing gracefully, this texture and finely balanced, stonefruit and spice aromaswine from the south side a gentle botrytis influence. attractively scented wine off-dry finish. $24 and flavours, and hints of roseof the Wairau Valley. Citrus Delicious drinking now was grown at Bendigo Villa Maria Cellar petal and Turkish Delight.and tropical fruit flavours, onwards. $27 (A, UK) (62%) and Pisa (38%). Selection Marlborough Finely balanced, concentratedripe and dry, with good Saint Clair Pioneer Made in a fractionally off-dry Dry Riesling and weighty. $25weight. $27 Block 9 Big John style, it has citrusy, appley 2013 HHHHYealands Estate Marlborough Riesling flavours, showing good Floral and full-bodied, with Grove Mill MarlboroughLand Made Series 2012 HHHHH vigour and richness. $25 (A) good intensity of lemon, Gewurztraminer 2013Marlborough Sauvignon Light, crisp, medium-sweet lime and slight passionfruit HHHHBlanc 2013 HHHH style, with intense, citrusy, flavours, and a crisp, dryish, Fleshy, medium-dry style withFleshy, with ripe, tropical limey flavours, fresh and lingering finish. $24 mouthfilling body, a slightly oilyfruit flavours showing good vivacious. Very refined, with texture and strong, peachy,concentration. Hightly lovely balance and length. $25 spicy flavours. (Foley Familyaromatic, with some Soho Maren Wines.) $20herbaceous notes and good Marlborough Rieslinglength. (80 per cent Awatere 2013 HHHH1/2 Crossroads MilestoneValley, 20 per cent Wairau Full-bodied, gently sweet Series Hawke’s BayValley. $20 (A, UK) style, with a floral bouquet Gewurztraminer and excellent drive, and 2014 HHHH intensity of fresh, pure, Pale and perfumed, with citrusy, limey flavours. delicate, pure lychee and Finely balanced and still very spice aromas and flavours, youthful. $27 (A) and a dryish, soft finish. $19.95 (A, UK)166 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandSaint Clair Godfrey’s Church Road Hawke’s Waipara Hills Waipara Stoneleigh Marlborough Mission Estate WineryCreek Reserve Bay Pinot Gris 2014 Valley Pinot Gris Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH Reserve Hawke’sMarlborough HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH Attractively floral, strongly Bay ChardonnayGewurztraminer 2013 Invitingly scented and Instantly attractive, with varietal wine, with excellent 2013 HHHHHHHHH weighty, with gentle a slightly oily texture and delicacy and depth of pear Powerful, youthful winePerfumed, with excellent sweetness, fresh, ripe, rich, pure, peachy and spicy and spice flavours, slightly with substantial body,weight and depth of fresh, peachy flavours, showing flavours. Finely balanced and sweet and smooth. $26 a hint of butterscotch,delicate pear, lychee and spice excellent concentration, and youthful. $22 (A, UK) Stoneleigh Rapaura excellent depth of ripe,flavours, slightly sweet and a finely textured, rounded Waipara Valley Equinox Series Marlborough citrusy, peachy flavours,well-rounded. $28 finish. Enjoyed by all Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH finely balanced acidity andOmihi Hills panelists. Fine value. $19.95 Fleshy, with pear, spice and Rich, weighty, finely a lingering finish. ExcellentWaipara Selection Church Road McDonald stonefruit flavours, showing textured Alsace style, with value. $29 (A, UK)Gewurztraminer Series Hawke’s Bay excellent balance and depth, excellent depth of ripe, Esk Valley Winemakers2013 HHHH Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH and some savoury, barrel- peachy, gently spicy, slightly Reserve Hawke’s BayExotically perfumed. Attractively scented, ferment complexity. Still sweet flavours. $31 ChardonnayPowerful, fleshy wine, with medium style, full-bodied very youthful. $35 Villa Maria Single 2013 HHHHHconcentrated, ripe, stonefruit and strongly varietal, with Cable Bay Waiheke Vineyard Seddon Very elegant and tightlyand spice flavours, and a dry a slightly oily texture and Island Pinot Gris Marlborough Pinot Gris structured, in a classy, richfinish. “Needs food,” noted excellent depth of ripe, 2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH and ageworthy style, withone judge. $29 quince and apricot flavours. Slightly creamy bouquet. Elegant Awatere Valley wine, funky, “struck match”Pegasus Bay Waipara “Quite delicious,” noted one Full-bodied, dryish style, with with fresh, concentrated, aromas and deep, grapefruit-Valley Gewurztraminer judge. $27 pure, ripe, peachy, citrusy slightly sweet citrusy, peachy, like flavours, showing2011 HHHH Aronui Nelson Pinot flavours, showing very good spicy flavours, a slightly oily excellent concentration andFleshy, with concentrated, Gris 2013 HHHH depth, and a smooth, creamy texture and a long finish. $32 harmony. $32 (UK)slightly sweet flavours in Instantly appealing, with texture. (Tank-fermented and Yealands Estate Single Villa Maria Singlean intensely varietal style, fresh acidity, vibrant pear 50 per cent oak-aged). $29.90 Block R6 Marlborough Vineyard Kelternhoneyed, rich and rounded. and lychee flavours, showing Ara Select Blocks Pinot Gris 2012 HHHH Hawke’s Bay ChardonnayOne judge scored it five good concentration, and a Marlborough Pinot Gris Floral, slightly honeyed 2013 HHHHHstars. $28 dryish finish. $22 2012 HHHH bouquet. Fleshy, ripe and Elegant, tightly structured Brightwater Gravels Scented, citrusy, slightly soft, with concentrated, wine, very fresh, crisp andpinot gris Nelson Pinot Gris appley and spicy flavours in citrusy flavours and satisfying dry, with vibrant stonefruit 2013 HHHH an elegant, creamy-textured, weight. $28 (A, UK) flavours, showingWairau River Youthful, lively and elegant, medium-dry style that excellent delicacy, andMarlborough Pinot Gris with pear, peach and spice lingers well. $26 (A, UK) chardonnay flinty, mealy notes adding2013 HHHH1/2 flavours, slightly sweet and Mount Riley complexity. Refined andCreamy bouquet, with a finely balanced. Skilfully Marlborough Pinot Gris Clearview Reserve minerally, with obviousslightly oily texture. Rich, crafted wine, enjoyed by all 2013 HHHH Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay cellaring potential. $37peachy, spicy flavours, judges. $24 (A) Fleshy, with good weight 2013 HHHHH Villa Maria Singleshowing a touch of Hawkshead Gibbston and depth of fresh, slightly Elegant, with youthful vigour Vineyard Ihumataocomplexity (10 per cent Central Otago Pinot sweet pear and lychee and fresh, concentrated, Chardonnaybarrel-fermented), and a well- Gris 2013 HHHH flavours. Finely textured and grapefruit-like flavours, 2012 HHHHHrounded finish. Rated highly Estate-grown at Gibbston, floral. $18 (A) rich, complex and lasting. Fragrant, highly refined andby all judges. $25 this is a crisp, citrusy, dry Sanctuary Marlborough Fragrant, with a strong, subtle wine, estate-grown inClifford Bay style (4 grams/litre residual Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH toasty oak influence South Auckland, with youthfulMarlborough Pinot Gris sugar), with a slightly oily Floral and mouthfilling, with a (fermented mainly in new grapefruit and nut flavours,2013 HHHH1/2 texture, lively acidity and sliver of sweetness and good French oak) and a tight, showing excellent complexityTight, elegant, youthful wine, good complexity. ‘Like texture and richness of fresh, finely textured palate with and length. Rated highly by allfull-bodied, with rich, ripe Alsace,’ enthused one peachy, citrusy flavours. great length. $39 (A, US) judges. $32stonefruit flavours and a finely judge. $26 (A, UK) Great value. (Foley Family Cypress Terraces Brightwater Vineyardspoised, dryish, long finish. Sherwood Estate Wines.) $18 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay Nelson ChardonnayWonderful value at $15. Waipara Valley Pinot Spy Valley Marlborough 2013 HHHHH 2012 HHHHH(Foley Family Wines.) (A) Gris 2013 HHHH Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH Very tight, elegant style from a Fresh, citrusy, mealy andTerrace Edge Waipara Fragrant, spicy bouquet. Fleshy and finely textured, terraced site at Roys Hill, hand- nutty, with excellent varietalValley Pinot Gris Mouthfilling, with rich pear, with concentrated, ripe picked and barrel-fermented. character and depth, oak2013 HHHH1/2 lychee and spice flavours, stonefruit flavours and an Struck match aromas, with complexity (fermentedFleshy, Alsace-style pinot showing very good varietal off-dry, slightly creamy a subtle oak influence and in French oak barrels, 20gris, with rich stonefruit character and length. Priced finish. $24 excellent intensity, spine and per cent new) and a finelyflavours and a hint of oak sharply. $19 (A) Starborough Family length. Well worth cellaring. textured, dry, long finish.(fermented in old barrels). Estate Marlborough $32 (UK, US) Top value. $25Weighty, creamy-textured Pinot Gris 2013 HHHHand generous. $23 (A) Mouthfilling, with fresh, strong stonefruit, lychee and pear flavours in a finely balanced, medium-dry style that lingers well. $22 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 167

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandSileni The Lodge The Fuder Single Sileni Exceptional Brightwater Vineyards Waipara Hills EquinoxHawke’s Bay Vineyard Selection Vintage Hawke’s Bay Lord Rutherford Chardonnay 2013 HHHHChardonnay Clayvin Chardonnay Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Barrique Nelson Floral, with a rich, lively2013 HHHH1/2 2011 HHHH Powerful, with a hint of Chardonnay 2012 HHHH palate - ripe, peachy,Fleshy, with a slightly Complex bouquet. Weighty, butterscotch on the nose. Youthful, with mouthfilling citrusy and slightly creamy.oily texture, a distinct with concentrated, Weighty, with rich stonefruit body and strong, fresh, Weighty, skilfully made,hint of butterscotch and grapefruit-like flavours, flavours, buttery and nutty citrusy, peachy flavours, barrel-fermented style, stillconcentrated, ripe, peachy, mealy, nutty and rich, and notes adding complexity, seasoned with toasty oak very youthful, with a lastingbiscuity flavours. Powerful very finely integrated oak and lots of drink-young (French, 25 per cent new). finish. $35wine, already drinking well (fermented and matured appeal. $70 Powerful, vibrantly fruityand enjoyed by all judges. $32 in 1000-litre German oak Vidal Legacy wine, still unfolding. $40 Waiheke Road Gisborne barrels. (From Giesen.) $60 Series Hawke’s Bay Greenhough Hope Reserve ChardonnayVidal Legacy Hawke’s (A, UK, US) Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Vineyard Nelson 2013 HHHHBay Chardonnay 2012 The Fuder Single Fresh and lemony, in a Chardonnay From a Waiheke Island-basedHHHH1/2 Vineyard Selection Dog slightly lean, flinty style, 2012 HHHH producer, Awaroa, this isStrong “gunflint” aromas Point Road Chardonnay biscuity and tight-knit. Fleshy, with generous, ripe, a fragrant, fleshy Gisborne(noted by two panelists). 2012 HHHH Shows good harmony and stonefruit flavours, mealy, wine, with substantialWeighty, finely textured Pale gold, with a complex complexity. $50 long and building good body, ripe, grapefruit-likeand harmonious palate, still bouquet. Weighty and Vidal Reserve complexity. One judge flavours, mealy notes addingvery fresh and vibrant, with fleshy, with concentrated Series Hawke’s Bay scored it five stars. $32 complexity, and a creamy-gentle biscuity notes and stonefruit flavours, Chardonnay 36 Bottles Central smooth finish. $38a slightly creamy, lingering buttery notes and strong 2013 HHHH Otago Chardonnayfinish. $50 personality. (From Giesen.) Citrusy and fresh, fully 2013 HHHH Fromm Clayvin $60 (A, UK, US) barrel-fermented wine, with Mouthfilling, generous wine, Vineyard MarlboroughVilla Maria Reserve Crossroads Winemakers a subtle oak influence, lively grown at Wanaka and barrel- Chardonnay 2010Hawke’s Bay Collection Hawke’s Bay acidity and very good length. fermented. Strong, peachy HHHHChardonnay 2013 Chardonnay 2012 HHHH Tight and youthful. $21 flavours, with balanced Youthful, refined wine, withHHHH1/2 Fragrant, with grapefruit and Villa Maria Cellar acidity, a minerally streak, a nutty, complex bouquet,Vibrant, citrusy and crisp, subtle oak flavours. Slightly Selection Hawke’s Bay and a tight, finely structured sweet fruit characterswith a complex, mealy, lean style, but shows Chardonnay 2013 HHHH finish. $27 and vibrant, rich, citrusy,flinty bouquet and a hint of excellent complexity and Rich, complex and Carrick Bannockburn slightly nutty flavours. Stillbutterscotch. Grapefruit and harmony. $39.95 (A, UK) harmonious, with finely Chardonnay 2012 HHHH unfolding. $68 (A, UK, US)biscuity oak on the palate, Mills Reef Elspeth integrated oak (fully Vibrant, fruit-driven style,with a slightly oily texture Hawke’s Bay barrel-fermented, 20 per invitingly fragrant, with Fromm La Stradaand excellent richness and Chardonnay 2013 HHHH cent new) and a lingering, strong, citrusy flavours to Marlboroughpotential. $32 Fleshy, Gimblett Gravels slightly minerally finish. the fore, crisp, lively acidity, Chardonnay 2011 HHHH wine with strong, ripe, Fine and elegant, offering and a subtle seasoning of Refined, youthful wine withCoopers Creek Swamp peachy, slightly buttery and excellent value. $20 oak (fully barrel-fermented, rich, citrusy, slightly spicyReserve Hawke’s Bay nutty flavours (matured in Aronui Nelson 12% new) adding flavours, a light seasoningChardonnay 2013 HHHH French oak barrels, 41% per Chardonnay 2013 HHHH complexity. $33 (A, UK, US) of oak and a creamy-Elegant, tightly structured cent new, for 10 months). Tight, elegant style, lemon- Peregrine Central textured, lengthy finish. Stilland crisp, with fresh, “Traditional style,” noted scented. Fruit-driven, with Otago Chardonnay developing. $37 (A, UK, US)concentrated grapefruit one judge. $39 a restrained oak influence, 2013 HHHHand peach flavours, slightly Mills Reef Reserve a touch of complexity and Fleshy, citrusy, elegant Mount Riley 17biscuit notes adding Hawke’s Bay a crisp, lively, lingering wine, hand-picked at Pisa Valley Marlboroughcomplexity, and good Chardonnay 2013 HHHH finish. $25 and fermented and matured Chardonnay 2012 HHHHharmony. “Very interesting Mouthfilling, with rich, for 10 months in oak Fleshy, with strong,wine,” noted one judge. $39 peachy, biscuity, toasty puncheons and hogsheads. ripe, stonefruit flavours,(UK) aromas and flavours in a very Vibrant, with excellent seasoned with nutty oak, easy-drinking style, with a weight, ripeness and good complexity and a finelySaint Clair Pioneer slightly oily texture, barrel- richness. $35 (A) balanced, long finish. $32 (A)Block 11 Cell ferment complexity and a Terra Sancta RiverblockBlock Marlborough soft finish. $25 Bannockburn Saint Clair OmakaChardonnay 2012 Pask Declaration Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Reserve MarlboroughHHHH Hawke’s Bay Full-bodied, well-rounded Chardonnay 2012 HHHHSlightly nutty bouquet. Chardonnay 2013 HHHH wine, with a subtle Mouthfilling, rich, peachy,Youthful, fleshy wine, with Fleshy, toasty and rich, with seasoning of oak (from toasty wine (handled instrong, ripe fruit flavours, a powerful oak influence and fermentation and aging in American oak, 50 perseasoned with toasty oak impressive concentration. large oak barrels). Fruit- cent new), showing good(barrel-fermented, 100 per Fresh, peachy, creamy, driven style, described by complexity. One judgecent new), and a finely buttery and long. one judge as ‘minerally’ and thought that “toasty oaktextured, slightly creamy, (Fermented and matured in ‘Chablis-like.’ $29.95 (A) dominates”; another praisedlengthy finish. $31 all-new French oak barrels.) its “well-managed oak and $40 (UK) complexity”. $34 (A)168 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandSaint Clair Pioneer rose Saint Clair Family Vidal Reserve Series Giesen Single VineyardBlock 4 Sawcut Estate Hawke’s Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir Selection Ridge BlockMarlborough Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2013 HHHH 2012 HHHHH Marlborough Pinot NoirChardonnay 2012 Rosé 2014 HHHH Fleshy, charming, drink- Floral, elegant, very 2012 HHHH1/2HHHH Bright, light pink blend young style, with full, bright “feminine” style, bright Bold and youthful, withFloral, sweet-fruited wine of merlot, malbec and colour and an aromatic ruby, with sweet fruit deep, bright colour.from the Ure Valley. Vibrant, cabernet sauvignon. Floral bouquet. Fresh, generous delights. Strong, vibrant Crammed with plum andcitrusy flavours to the fore, and mouthfilling, with fresh, plum, blueberry and pepper cherry, plum and spice spice flavours, braced bywith a gentle seasoning vibrant strawberry and spice flavours, with slightly flavours, finely balanced oak firm tannins, and a strongof toasty oak (barrel- flavours, and a generous, savoury notes adding and supple tannins. “Quite seasoning of oak. “Dark,fermented, 20 per cent new) slightly sweet, well-rounded complexity and ripe, supple ethereal,” enthused one brooding style,” noted oneand mealy, creamy notes finish. $21 (UK) tannins. $25 judge. $30 judge. $60 (A, UK, US)adding complexity. Very Mission Hawke’s Bay Terrace Edge Waipara Terra Sancta Jackson’selegant. $31 Rosé 2014 HHHH pinot noir Valley Pinot Noir Block Bannockburn Bright pink/pale red hue. 2012 HHHHH Central Otago PinotSaint Clair Pioneer Styled like a very light red, Saint Clair Pioneer Floral, fresh, very lively Noir 2012 HHHH1/2Block 10 Twin with a floral bouquet, good Block 22 Barn Block and youthful wine, finely Full ruby, generous red withHills Marlborough weight and fresh, berryish Marlborough Pinot Noir structured, with excellent concentrated cherry andChardonnay flavours, crisp, lively and 2012 HHHHH vigour and depth of dried herb flavours, showing2012 HHHH lingering. $18 (UK) Deeply coloured, highly cherry, plum and spice excellent complexity, andFragrant and mouthfilling, Coopers Creek Huapai concentrated wine, sweet- flavours, showing good a finely textured, lingeringwith rich, peachy, citrusy Rosé 2013 HHHH fruited, with youthful cherry complexity. Enjoyed by all finish. $48 (A, UK, US)flavours, seasoned with Mouthfilling, malbec-based and plum flavours, a hint judges. $29.95 (A) Coal Pit Tiwha Centralnutty, spicy oak (French, rosé with bright, pink/red of dark chocolate, and Akarua Bannockburn Otago Pinot Noir50 per cent new), firm acid colour. Fleshy, with fresh, lovely texture and richness. Central Otago Pinot 2012 HHHH1/2spine and good complexity. lively, red berry flavours and “Very sexy,” enthused one Noir 2012 HHHHH Weighty Gibbston red with$31 (UK) good persistence. Enjoyed by judge. $34 Classy, supple, graceful concentrated, ripe cherry, all judges. $22 red with excellent vigour plum, spice and driedgruner veltliner Middle Earth Nelson Giesen Single Vineyard and concentrated, youthful, herb flavours, oak Rosé 2013 HHHH Selection Clayvin Pinot cherryish, plummy flavours. complexity (French, 25%Saint Clair Marlborough Bright, light red hue. Noir 2012 HHHHH Tight-knit, with impressive new) and the structure toGruner Veltliner 2012 Fleshy, with vibrant berry Silky textured and sweet- richness through the age well. One judge scoredHHHHH and spice flavours, and fruited, with deep, vibrant palate and lovely harmony. it five stars. $42 (A)Full of personality. Fleshy, a smooth, dry finish. plum/spice flavours, $48 (A, UK, US) Thornbury Centralrounded wine, partly oak- Fragrant, with good texture showing lovely complexity Mud House Claim 431 Otago Pinot Noir 2012aged, with a powerful surge and balance. Praised by one and harmony. Very full, rich Vineyard Central Otago HHHH1/2of peach, apricot, spice and judge as “pretty”. $24 and refined. $60 (A, UK, US) Pinot Noir 2012 HHHHH Instantly attractive, full-nut flavours and a dry finish. Saint Clair Pioneer Full-coloured Bendigo red coloured BannockburnMaturing very gracefully. other red Block 12 Lone Gum with substantial body, red with concentrated,Great value at $22. varietals & blends Marlborough Pinot Noir strong, vibrant cherry, plum ripe cherry, plum and 2012 HHHHH and dried herb flavours, spice flavours, showingSaint Clair Pioneer Church Road McDonald Mouthfilling and full- earthy, nutty notes adding excellent fruit sweetnessBlock 5 Bull Block Series Hawke’s Bay coloured, with lovely, ripe, complexity, and fine-grained and structure, and finelyMarlborough Gruner Marzemino 2012 HHHH youthful, cherry and spice tannins. ‘Really nice integrated oak (French,Veltliner 2013 HHHH Dark, with an attractive flavours, savoury oak and concentration and balance – 32 per cent new) addingFloral, full-bodied and dry, bouquet of licorice and real generosity through yum!’ enthused one judge. good, savoury complexity.with strong, peachy, spicy peppermint. Fresh and the palate. Very refined, $34 (A, UK, US) Wonderful value from Villaflavours, finely balanced and sweet-fruited, with rich and harmonious. A Georgetown Vineyard Maria. $25offering lots of interest. $25 generous, plummy flavours “complete” wine, rated Central Otago Pinot Renato Nelson Pinot and a lingering, smooth highly by all judges. $34 Noir 2010 HHHHH Noir 2012 HHHH1/2Yealands Estate Single finish. Delicious young. $27 Saint Clair Pioneer Deep, bright colour. Ripely scented. Generous,Vineyard Awatere Valley Block 23 Master Block Generous, very finely finely textured red, withGruner Veltliner 2013 Marlborough Pinot Noir textured red, grown at concentrated cherry,HHHH 2012 HHHHH the Cromwell end of the plum, spice and herb fruitFloral, crisp and dry, with Built to last. Dark, with Kawarau Gorge. Rich, flavours, and a foundationsatisfying body, citrusy, highly concentrated, ripe sweet-fruited and savoury, of ripe, chewy tannins.peachy, spicy flavours, a cherry, plum and spice with highly concentrated Great value. $24minerally streak, and excellent flavours in a rich, opulent cherry/plum flavours,depth and drive through the style with savoury oak, integrated oak, ripe tanninspalate. $25 (A, UK) refined tannins and a lasting and a lasting finish. Drink or finish. $34 cellar. $43 (A) Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 169

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandSileni Exceptional Brightwater Vineyards Carrick Bannockburn Mud House Central Terra Sancta EstateVintage Hawke’s Nelson Pinot Noir Central Otago Pinot Otago Pinot Noir Bannockburn CentralBay Pinot Noir 2013 2012 HHHH Noir 2012 HHHH 2013 HHHH Otago Pinot NoirHHHH1/2 Smoky, slightly earthy Ruby-hued, medium-bodied Fine value pinot noir, grown 2012 HHHHDark, generous and supple, bouquet. Strong, fresh plum/ red with youthful, cherryish, at Bendigo and partly barrel- Full-coloured, fresh andin a savoury, nutty, complex spice flavours, with good spicy, toasty flavours, aged. Full of youthful vigour, savoury, with an array ofstyle, with impressive weight, finely integrated oak showing good complexity, with strong, ripe plum and cherry, plum, spice, oliverichness and harmony. and a lengthy finish. Priced and a fairly firm, lingering spice flavours, hints of dried and dried herb flavours.Shows lovely depth of fruit, sharply. $25 (A) finish. Well worth cellaring. herbs, and excellent balance Good weight, ripeness,with the structure to mature Greenhough Hope $50 (A, UK, US) and depth. $21 (A, UK, US) complexity and length.well. Praised by one judge Vineyard Nelson Pinot Greylands Ridge Peregrine Central $34.95 (A, UK, US)as “brooding”. $70 Noir 2011 HHHH Central Otago Pinot Otago Pinot Noir Terra Sancta Shingle Savoury, complex style, Noir 2012 HHHH 2012 HHHH Beach BannockburnSileni Parkhill Hawke’s ruby hued, with excellent Fresh, youthful Alexandra Fresh, youthful, elegant Central Otago PinotBay Pinot Noir 2013 flavour depth. Ripely red, bright ruby, with regional blend, grown and Noir 2012 HHHHHHHH1/2 scented, with power strong, ripe cherry, plum hand-picked in the Bendigo Deep ruby, sturdy redFull ruby hue, still purple- through the palate and fine- and spice flavours, showing (60%), Pisa (27%) and with ripe cherry, plum andflushed. Weighty, sweet- grained tannins. $40 considerable complexity, Gibbston (13%) districts. spice flavours, impressivefruited and complex red, Bald Hills 3 Acres and fine-grained tannins. Bright ruby, with tightly complexity and depth, and awith a cherryish, slightly Central Otago Pinot Weighty, harmonious wine, structured cherry, plum firm, sustained finish. Wellsmoky bouquet. Generous, Noir 2013 HHHH well worth cellaring. $35 and dried herb flavours, worth cellaring. $48 (A, UK)ripe flavours, with a hint of Deeply coloured Bannockburn Greylands Ridge good vigour and excellent Terra Sancta Slapjackolives, a seasoning of spicy red with a fragrant bouquet Central Otago Pinot harmony. $45 (A, UK, US) Block Bannockburnoak and a finely textured and very good depth of Noir 2013 HHHH Super Nanny Central Central Otago Pinotfinish. Enjoyed by all plum, berry and spice Ruby hued, sweet-fruited Otago Pinot Noir Noir 2012 HHHHjudges. $32 flavours. Fruit-packed, gently Alexandra red with vibrant 2012 HHHH Generous, warm andAronui Nelson Pinot oaked style (French, 25% cherry/plum flavours, Generous, with deep ruby savoury red from the oldestNoir 2011 HHHH new, for eight months), still mingled with spicy oak. Very colour, rich, ripe cherry, vines in the Cromwell Basin,Full, brightly coloured very youthful. $35 harmonious wine, already plum and nut flavours, planted in 1991. Ruby hued,red, with a savoury, Ballasalla Central Otago approachable but worth showing a strong oak with strong cherry, plum andslightly earthy bouquet. Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH cellaring. $35 influence, and gentle tannins spice flavours, enriched withConcentrated palate, with Elegant Bendigo red, light- Invivo Michelle giving a smooth finish. nutty oak, good complexitystrong, ripe flavours and medium ruby, with fresh, Central Otago Pinot Finely balanced, weighty and ripe, supple tannins.a lengthy, finely balanced plummy, berryish flavours, Noir 2012 HHHH and concentrated. $45 $79.95 (A, UK, US)finish. Good value. $28 a subtle oak influence, Fresh, savoury red, based on and some structure and a five barrel selection, mostly Rapaura Springs Thornbury Central Otago complexity. (From Folding from Bannockburn. Ruby Central Otago Pinot Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH Hill) $29.95 hued, with good weight, Noir 2013 HHHH A top buy, this full-bodied Black Quail Estate strong spice and dried herb Full-coloured, mouthfilling Bannockburn red has Central Otago Pinot flavours, seasoned with red, grown at Bannockburn, strong plum/spice flavours, Noir 2012 HHHH nutty oak, and the structure with fresh, ripe plum/spice hints of dried herbs, oak- Generous, full-coloured to age well. $49.95 flavours, showing good derived complexity (French Bannockburn red with Judge Rock Central density through the palate, barriques, 18% new) and a concentrated plum/spice Otago Pinot Noir and a firm backbone of solid foundation of tannin. flavours, a firm backbone 2012 HHHH tannin. Best drinking mid- Worth cellaring. (From Villa of tannin, and excellent Floral, bright ruby Alexandra 2015+. $33 (A) Maria.) $25 balance and complexity. $39 red with fresh cherry, (UK, US) plum, dried herb and Rockburn Central Otago Wild Earth Vineyards Doctors Flat spice flavours, strong and Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH Central Otago Pinot Bannockburn Central youthful. A ‘feminine’ style, Supple, elegant red, grown Noir 2010 HHHH Otago Pinot Noir still developing. $40 (A) at Parkburn, in the Cromwell Dark, weighty Bannockburn 2012 HHHH Basin (85%) and at Gibbston red, maturing well, with Deep ruby, single-vineyard (15%). Vibrant cherry and excellent depth of plum red with strong plum and plum flavours to the fore, and dried herb flavours, spice flavours, earthy, savoury with a sweet-fruit entry, well-integrated toasty oak notes adding complexity, and finely integrated spicy oak and ‘forest floor’ notes excellent structure and length. and good concentration. $50 adding complexity. One $46 (A, UK) (A, UK, USA) judge scored it five stars. $43 (A, UK, US) Wild Earth Vineyards Earth & Sky Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 HHHH Bannockburn red, hand- picked and barrel-aged for 16 months. Bold colour, still youthful. Fresh and vibrantly fruity, with strong, ripe plum/ spice flavours, integrated oak and firm tannins. Good weight and excellent concentration. $107 (A)170 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandAra Select Blocks Mount Riley Church Road Grand Villa Maria CellarMarlborough Pinot Noir Marlborough Pinot Noir Reserve Hawke’s Selection Hawke’s2012 HHHH 2012 HHHH Bay Merlot Cabernet Bay Merlot CabernetDeeply coloured. Strong, Bright ruby. Vibrantly fruity Sauvignon 2011 HHHH Sauvignon 2012 HHHHyouthful cherry, plum and and supple, in an elegant, Dark, purple/black colour. Full-coloured, vibrant red,olive flavours, with good medium-bodied style, with Dense plum, spice, coffee with strong blackcurrantdrive through the palate, very good depth of cherry, and herb flavours in a and plum flavours, hints ofconsiderable complexity and plum and spice flavours. weighty, slightly earthy coffee and dried herbs, goodgood tannin support. One Fine value. $22 (A) style, firmly structured and oak complexity and supplejudge scored it five stars. Saint Clair Marlborough long. $44 tannins. $20$30 (A, UK) Pinot Noir 2012 HHHHAuntsfield Single Mouthfilling, with sweet Church Road Hawke’s Villa Maria Cellar Pask DeclarationVineyard Marlborough fruit characters, generous, Bay Merlot Malbec Selection Organic Gimblett GravelsPinot Noir 2011 HHHH ripe plum and spice flavours, Cabernet 2012 HHHH Hawke’s Bay Merlot Hawke’s Bay CabernetBright ruby. Weighty, and fine-grained tannins. Full, youthful colour. 2013 HHHH Merlot Malbecconcentrated and supple, Enjoyed by all panellists and Concentrated plum, spice, Dark, fragrant, buoyantly 2007 HHHHwith vibrant cherry, plum sharply priced at $27. (A, herb and nutty oak flavours, fruity red (30 per cent Fullish colour, withand nut flavours and silky UK, US) showing good complexity. barrel-aged), medium to full- spicy, slightly leafytannins. Refined. $40 Saint Clair Pioneer Some slightly green notes, bodied, with concentrated, flavours, showing goodBrancott Estate Letter Block 5 Bull Block but impressive density and plummy flavours, showing concentration. Leathery,Series T Marlborough Marlborough Pinot Noir length. Fine value. $19.95 excellent ripeness and nutty and complex. $50 (UK)Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH 2012 HHHH Elephant Hill Le Phant depth. $20 Vidal Legacy Hawke’sElegant and supple, with Full-coloured, with ripe, 2013 HHHH Villa Maria Private Bin Bay Cabernet Merlotfresh, vibrant, cherryish, sweet-fruit flavours of Dark, merlot-based blend, Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2010 HHHHslightly spicy flavours, deftly cherries, plums and with cabernet sauvignon 2013 HHHH Full, bright colour. Weighty,judged oak and satisfying spices, seasoned with and malbec. Vibrantly fruity, Full-coloured and sweet- rich, fleshy and firm, withrichness. $45 nutty oak (French, 50 per with strong plum, pepper fruited, medium-bodied ripe, concentrated flavoursFromm Clayvin cent new). Deliciously rich and nut flavours, firm, ripe style, with generous and savoury, nutty notesVineyard Marlborough and smooth. $34 and rich. $24 blackcurrant, plum and adding complexity. $60Pinot Noir 2011 HHHH The Crossings Esk Valley Winemakers dried mint flavours, and a Villa Maria ReserveFull, bright colour. Marlborough Pinot Noir Reserve Hawke’s Bay well-rounded finish. Bargain- Library ReleaseConcentrated, with cherry, 2012 HHHH Merlot Malbec Cabernet priced. $17 (A, UK) Gimblett Gravelsplum and spice flavours, Full ruby hue. Generous, Sauvignon 2011 HHHH Hawke’s Bay Cabernettoasty oak and fairly firm with strong plum/spice Drinking well from now cabernet sauvignon Sauvignon Merlottannins. Worth cellaring. flavours, a hint of coffee, onwards, this full-flavoured, & blends 2009 HHHH$81 (A, UK, US) silky tannins and good supple red is dark, with Deeply coloured, withFromm La Strada weight. Fine value at $23. concentrated, ripe, Church Road McDonald strong blackcurrant,Marlborough Pinot Noir (A, UK, US) blackcurrant and Series Hawke’s Bay plum and spice flavours,2012 HHHH Yealands Estate Single plum flavours that linger Cabernet Sauvignon and hints of herbs andRuby hued, very finely Vineyard Pinot Noir well. $60 (UK) 2013 HHHHH olives. Savoury, complextextured wine, with strong, 2012 HHHH Falconhead Hawke’s Dense, purple/black colour, and firm. $70youthful cherry, plum and Ruby hued. Elegant, sweet- Bay Merlot Cabernet with a fragrant, “serious”spice flavours, complex, fruited wine with fresh, 2013 HHHH bouquet of violets, red syrahsavoury and supple. $40 (A, ripe cherry, plum and spice Firm, concentrated red from fruits and oak. Rich, smoothUK, US) flavours, silky tannins, the Bridge Pa Triangle, with palate, with concentrated, Sileni ExceptionalGiesen The Brothers and very good weight and excellent depth of plum, ripe blackcurrant, plum Vintage Hawke’s BayMarlborough Pinot Noir length. Priced sharply. $25 spice and nutty oak flavours. and spice flavours, and a Syrah 2013 HHHHH2012 HHHH Priced sharply. $16 firm, finely balanced finish. Dark and mouthfilling, withRuby hued and supple, with merlot & blends Saint Clair Hawke’s Bay Shows lovely purity and sweet-fruit characters andmouthfilling body, strong, Merlot 2013 HHHH finesse. A top buy at $27. concentrated blackcurrant,ripe cherry/spice flavours, Mills Reef Reserve Deeply coloured, single- plum, spice and licoriceseasoned with toasty oak, Hawke’s Bay Merlot vineyard Gimblett Gravels flavours. Weighty, complex,and lots of drink-young Malbec 2013 HHHH1/2 red, with rich, youthful plum, finely textured and long. $70charm. $40 (A, UK, US) Purple/black, fragrant, spice and nutty oak flavours,Mount Riley 17 Valley weighty Gimblett Gravels and good tannin backbone.Marlborough Pinot Noir blend. Rich, sweet-fruited Strongly oaked style2012 HHHH and vibrantly fruity, (according to two judges),Full ruby hue. Generous with substantial body, but concentrated. $25and finely balanced, with finely integrated oak andcherryish, plummy, slightly concentrated, berryish Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bayspicy flavours, showing flavours, fresh and long. $25 The Trinity 2013 HHHHgood savoury complexity, Dark, fragrant, merlot-and silky tannins. $37 (A) dominant blend, with strong, ripe plum/spice flavours, showing considerable complexity and a firm, lengthy finish. Enjoyed by all judges. $22 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 171

Winestate’s Best Wines of 2014 new zealandVilla Maria Reserve Giesen The Brothers Saint Clair Pioneer Soho Valentina Saint Clair AwatereHawke’s Bay Syrah Marlborough Syrah Block 17 Plateau Block Waiheke Island Syrah Valley Reserve Noble2012 HHHHH 2011 HHHH1/2 Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2012 HHHH Riesling 2013Deeply coloured and Impressively dark and 2013 HHHH Generous, ageworthy red, (375ml) HHHHperfumed, with vibrant weighty. Dense palate, Dark, with rich blackcurrant, youthful, with excellent Light gold. Fresh, vibrantplum, pepper and olive with concentrated plum spice and slight licorice depth of plummy, spicy wine from Blind River,flavours, showing excellent and black pepper flavours, flavours, showing excellent flavour, good complexity and with hints of sherbet andconcentration. Weighty, complex, savoury and firmly ripeness and depth, and a a lingering finish. $45 apricot, good acid spine andfresh, finely textured and structured. Well worth silky texture. Well worth concentrated, peachy, limey,lengthy. $60 cellaring. $40 (A, UK, US) cellaring. $38 sweet whites honey-sweet flavours. $28 Sileni The Peak Hawke’s Saint Clair Godfrey’sElephant Hill Hawke’s Fromm Fromm Vineyard Bay Syrah 2013 HHHH Cable Bay Sweet Gloria Creek Reserve NobleBay Syrah 2013 Marlborough Syrah Dark, generous, supple red, Late Harvest Waiheke Riesling 2013HHHH1/2 2010 HHHH medium-bodied, with good Island Viognier 2012 (375ml) HHHHBoldly coloured, fragrant red, Weighty and concentrated, density of ripe, plummy, (375ml) HHHHH Honeyed, rich wine withgrown at Te Awanga and in with blackcurrant, plum and spicy flavour and a soft, long Hedonistic, strongly lovely harmony. Freshthe Gimblett Gravels. Rich, spice flavours, fine-grained finish. $32 botrytised wine, with an and lemony, with a hint ofwith fresh, concentrated tannins and good mouthfeel. Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay invitingly honeyed bouquet. orange peel. One judgeplum and spice flavours, oak $63 (A, UK, US) Syrah 2013 HHHH Mouthfilling and sweet, with scored it five stars. $28complexity and a lengthy Full-coloured, mouthfilling a slightly oily texture and Tohu Limited Releasefinish. $34 (A, UK) Fromm La Strada and smooth, with plummy, lush, deliciously concentrated Raiha Reserve NobleVidal Reserve Series Marlborough Syrah peppery flavours, fresh and peach and apricot flavours. Riesling 2011Gimblett Gravels 2011 HHHH strong. Full of drink-young “Big, rich, cuddly,” enthused (375ml) HHHHHawke’s Bay Syrah Deep, bright colour. charm. $22 (A, UK) one judge. $45 Maturing gracefully, with2012 HHHH1/2 Weighty and savoury, with Vidal Legacy Series Esk Valley Late Harvest sweet, citrusy flavours,Floral and deeply coloured, ripe plum, spice and black Gimblett Gravels Chenin Blanc 2013 showing some toasty,with strong, very vibrant pepper flavours, showing Hawke’s Bay Syrah (375ml) HHHHH bottle-aged notes, and goodplum and spice flavours, impressive concentration, 2010 HHHH Pale gold, with a deliciously richness and weight. $28 (A,threaded with fresh acidity. fine-grained tannins and Dense and youthful in colour, honeyed, strongly botrytis- UK, US)Enjoyed by all judges, good complexity. $40 (A, in a weighty style with rich influenced bouquet.but described by one as UK, US) plum/spice flavours, silky Luscious, sweet peach, pear“supple” and another as tannins and good, savoury and apricot flavours, fresh“very firm”. $29 (UK) Church Road McDonald complexity. $70 and vibrant, with a slightlyVidal Legacy Series Series Hawke’s Bay Villa Maria Cellar oily richness and lovelyGimblett Gravels Syrah 2012 HHHH Selection Hawke’s Bay harmony. $30Hawke’s Bay Syrah Floral and deeply coloured, Syrah 2012 HHHH2011 HHHH1/2 with concentrated, ripe Elegant, deeply coloured Villa Maria ReserveDeep, purple-flushed flavours, a strong oak red, grown in the Gimblett Noble Riesling 2012colour, with a perfumed influence, earthy and Gravels and Bridge Pa (375ml) HHHHHbouquet. Concentrated savoury notes, and a silky Triangle. Good concentration Golden, strongly botrytisedplum/spice flavours, texture. From a tough year, of plum/spice flavours, wine, with highlyshowing very good this is “warm and inviting”, with velvety tannins, good concentrated, peach andripeness, but a hint of noted one judge. $27 backbone and length. $26 (UK) apricot flavours, an oily“greens”. Weighty, fleshy Awaroa Waiheke Island richness and a honey-sweet,and structured. $70 Mills Reef Reserve Syrah 2012 HHHH lasting finish. $36 Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 Full-coloured and floral, with HHHH concentrated, peppery, Full-coloured and fragrant. slightly herbal flavours, Fresh, ripe, sweet-fruit finely balanced tannins and a flavours of plums, spices lingering finish. $34 and fruit cake, plenty of oak in evidence, and good depth star ratings  and power through the palate. $25 Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry professionals and are compared in peer classes by three judges. CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, a major mail-order business. CD Cellar door price. CDO Cellar door only. SO Sold out. $N/A Price not available at time of printing.  Contact information pg 190. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years).172 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015



micchoaoepler best of 2014 releases

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealand Spy Valley Envoy Auburn Bendigo Central Spy Valley Envoy Mountford Estate Marlborough Dry Otago Riesling 2013 Marlborough Waipara Valley PinotDomain Road Riesling 2013 HHHHH HHHHH Gewurztraminer Noir 2010 HHHHHVineyard Bannockburn Fleshy, full-bodied (14 per Classic young riesling, with 2013 HHHHH Full of personality, this isCentral Otago Pinot cent alc/vol), beautifully low alcohol (9 per cent/ Estate-grown in the Waihopai a statuesque red (15.5%Noir 2011 HHHHH poised wine, hand-picked vol), incisive lemon and Valley, hand-picked and alc/vol) with a powerfulClassic regional style, with a and oak-fermented. Strong, lime flavours, and some fermented in small oak presence. Dark and ripelyperfumed, complex bouquet vibrant, peachy, citrusy, peach and apricot notes. vessels, this is classy stuff. scented, it is very fleshy,of cherries, plums, herbs, slightly spicy flavours, with Very fresh and racy on the Bright, light lemon/green, it is with dense, plummy,spices and nuts. Weighty, a fine thread of acidity and palate, with lovely poise an enticingly perfumed and spicy flavours, savoury andwith sweet fruit characters a fractionally off-dry finish. and length. $35 (A) fleshy, medium style, with complex, and a well-roundedand strong, ripe, moderately Generous, youthful wine, Aurum Central Otago concentrated stonefruit, spice finish. Drink now-2016. $60firm flavours that build already approachable, Dry Riesling 2009 and ginger flavours, showing (A, UK, US)to a long, well-structured that carries the dry style HHHHH lovely complexity and Obsidian Reservefinish. Delicious now, but extremely well. $31 Classy wine, revealing harmony. Delicious drinking Waiheke Islandageworthy, too. Fine value. Ataahua Waipara excellent bottle-aged from now onwards. $31 (A) Chardonnay$39 (A, UK) Riesling 2012 HHHHH complexity. Fragrant, lemony, 2013 HHHHH Delicious, harmonious limey and toasty bouquet, Goldie Waiheke Island Powerful, very youthful wine,Elephant Hill Hawke’s wine with a richly scented, with searching, dry flavours, Chardonnay 2013 HHHHH fermented with indigenousBay Viognier 2013 slightly honeyed bouquet showing real delicacy and This is a notably weighty, ripe, yeasts in French oak casksHHHHH and excellent concentration depth. Still unfolding. Great flavour-packed wine. Sturdy (40% new). Weighty andScented, weighty wine, of ripe, citrusy flavours, with value. $23 (A) (14.8% alc/vol), it is very vibrant, with concentrated,fleshy, with lush stonefruit hints of passionfruit, ginger sweet-fruited, with highly ripe stonefruit flavours, finelyflavours, hints of spices and spice. Finely poised, Jackson Estate Stich concentrated, stonefruit integrated oak adding aand nuts (from partial barrel with gentle sweetness and Marlborough Sauvignon flavours, barrel-ferment toasty, nutty complexity, andfermentation), a slightly a crisp, long finish. Drink Blanc 2013 HHHHH complexity, gentle acidity a rich, very harmonious finish.oily richness and a creamy- now or cellar. $24 A top vintage of this Wairau and a deliciously rich, well- Best drinking 2016+. $42smooth finish. Intensely Maude Mt Maude Valley classic, showing rounded finish. Drink now orvarietal, harmonious wine, Vineyard Wanaka excellent weight, complexity cellar. $42 Saint Clair Pioneer Blockalready hard to resist. $29 Reserve Pinot Noir and depth. Fresh and full- 9 Big John MarlboroughChurch Road McDonald 2012 HHHHH bodied, with a strong surge Goldie Esslin Waiheke Riesling 2013 HHHHHSeries Hawke’s Bay Weighty, silky-textured of ripe melon, lime and Island Merlot 2012 This vivacious, MoselSyrah 2011 HHHHH Central Otago wine, with passionfruit flavours, crisp, HHHHH spatlese look-alike isDeeply coloured, rich and lovely fruit sweetness. dry and long. $24 (A, UK, US) Distinctly Bordeaux-like, deliciously light (9% alc/supple, with vibrant, Savoury, with very ripe Passage Rock Reserve this is a classy, rich, elegant vol) and lively. Grown in theconcentrated plum/spice cherry/plum flavours, Waiheke Island Syrah red. Full-coloured, it is very lower Brancott Valley, it’sflavours. Powerful and impressive complexity 2012 HHHHH savoury and complex, with a distinctly medium stylepersistent, in a highly (barrel aged for 17 months) Densely coloured, powerful deep, ripe blackcurrant, plum with moderate acidity andaromatic style, harmonious, and excellent harmony. A but graceful red, with and spice flavours, slightly strong lemon, apple and spicefinely textured and youthful. “complete” wine, likely to be concentrated blackcurrant, nutty and leathery, and a flavours, showing excellentBenchmark stuff. A top long-lived. $49 (A, UK, US) plum, spice and nutty oak silky-textured finish. Already freshness, delicacy andbuy at $27. Te Kairanga flavours. Finely textured delicious, it’s well worth intensity. It’s already very Martinborough Riesling and smooth-flowing, cellaring. $60 approachable. $24.50 (UK)Zephyr Marlborough 2013 HHHHH with a rounded finish and Obsidian WaihekeSauvignon Blanc Lovely young wine. excellent harmony. A Main Divide Pokiri Island Montepulciano2013 HHHHH Mouthfilling, dryish and “forward” vintage - drink Reserve Late Picked 2013 HHHHHDistinctive, estate-grown wine citrusy, with excellent now or cellar. $55 Waipara Valley Pinot Densely coloured, ripelyfrom Dillons Point, in the lower richness, freshness and Gris 2013 HHHHH scented and fruit-packed,Wairau Valley. Fleshy and vigour. Finely poised and This is an irresistible bargain. this is one of NZ’s best-yetcrisp, with excellent weight slightly minerally. Drink now A weighty, medium style with examples of this classicand depth of vibrant melon, or cellar. $22 (A, UK) distinct overtones of Alsace, Italian variety. Alreadygooseberry and lime flavours, it was lees-aged in large oak delicious, it has lovely depthand slightly salty and leesy barrels and shows some ‘noble of fresh blackcurrant andnotes adding complexity. One rot’ influence. Fleshy, with plum flavours, a subtleof the best sauvignon blancs rich, peachy, faintly honeyed oak influence and a finelyof the vintage. $25 (A, UK) flavours and real depth and textured, spicy, sustained drive through the palate, finish. Drink now or cellar. $38 it’s already delicious. (From Pegasus Bay.) $24.95 (A) Mountford EstateThe Gradient Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2010 HHHHH Grown on a steep, north- facing site, matured in new French oak casks, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this is a classy red – powerful, savoury and silky-textured, with deep, slightly developed colour, substantial body and highly concentrated blackcurrant, plum, dried herb and spice flavours. Drink now- 2017. $150 (A, UK, US) Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 175

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandSpy Valley Envoy Babich Irongate Black Barn Vineyards Matua Single Matua Single VineyardOutpost Vineyard Omaka Hawke’s Bay Single Vineyard Vineyard Hawke’s Hawke’s Bay SyrahValley Marlborough Chardonnay 2013 Viognier 2013 HHHHH Bay Chardonnay 2013 2013 HHHHHPinot Noir 2012 HHHHH HHHHH Weighty, fleshy, rounded HHHHH Bold, youthful, classy red,Hand-harvested from hillside Fleshy, sweet-fruited and Hawke’s Bay wine, Powerful wine, impressively grown in the Mathesonplantings and barrel-aged rich, this is a top vintage of invitingly scented, with rich and complex, but also Vineyard. Deeply coloured,for 18 months, this deeply the classic label. Weighty vibrant, concentrated peach, elegant, with substantial with densely packedcoloured red is notably and finely poised, it is lychee and spice flavours, a body, deep stonefruit blackcurrant, plum andconcentrated, sweet-fruited youthful, with concentrated, slightly mealy complexity, flavours, very finely spice flavours, hints of darkand supple, in a powerful ripe, stonefruit flavours, a and a finely textured finish. integrated oak, and a ripe, chocolate and nuts, andstyle with generous cherry, subtle seasoning of French Still youthful, but drinking rounded finish. Meursault- a finely textured lastingplum and dried herb flavours, oak, fresh acidity and a well from the start. $33 style, still very youthful finish. It should flourish for awell-integrated oak and very slightly creamy texture. and well worth cellaring to decade; open 2016+. $60fine-grained tannins. Best Approachable now, it should Brancott Estate Letter 2016+. $45drinking 2016+. $59 (A, US) be at its best 2016+. $37 Series ‘O’ Marlborough Sacred Hill RiflemansThe Elder Martinborough Chardonnay 2013 Gillman Matakana Hawke’s BayPinot Gris 2013 HHHHH Dog Point Vineyard HHHHH Cabernet Franc Merlot Chardonnay 2013Powerful, dry style from Marlborough Bright, light lemon/green. Malbec 2008 HHHHH HHHHHultra low-yielding vines, Chardonnay 2012 Lovely freshness, vibrancy Distinguished, densely Powerful, mouthfillingmatured in tanks and old HHHHH and richness, in a weighty, packed, savoury Matakana and silky-textured, withbarrels. Fleshy and sweet- This classy, youthful wine sweet-fruited style with red, blended from cabernet deep stonefruit and nutfruited, with generous was barrel-aged for 18 strong, youthful, citrusy, franc, merlot and malbec, flavours, a slightly creamystonefruit, pear, quince and months. Light lemon/ peachy flavours, finely matured for two years in texture and lovely harmony.spice flavours, a very subtle green, it has vibrant, integrated oak and a slightly French oak barriques (50% Meursault-style, veryseasoning of oak, and lovely peachy, citrusy flavours, buttery finish. Best drinking new). Rich blackcurrant, elegant, rich, youthful andtexture and richness. Drink gently overlaid with toasty 2016+. $33 plum and spice flavours, complex, with obviousnow or cellar. $39 oak, impressive delicacy complex, nutty and cedary, cellaring potential. $75 and poise, and a long, Dog Point Vineyard in a firmly structured, very bone-dry, minerally finish. Marlborough Pinot Noir ageworthy style. $70 Te Kairanga John Best drinking 2016+. $35 2012 HHHHH Martin Martinborough (A, UK, US) Rich and silky-textured, Matua Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 this single-vineyard red is Hawke’s Bay Albarino HHHHH Black Barn Vineyards deeply coloured, deliciously 2013 HHHHH Weighty, sweet-fruited and Hawke’s Bay Syrah harmonious and smooth, with Is this New Zealand’s finest rich, this barrel-fermented 2013 HHHHH concentrated cherry, plum albarino yet? Bright, light wine is pale straw, with Beautiful young red, with bold, and nut flavours, showing lemon/green, it is full of concentrated stonefruit, spice purple-flushed colour. Sturdy, excellent warmth and density. personality, with mouthfilling and nut flavours, balanced with fresh, concentrated plum Still very youthful, it’s a highly body and concentrated, acidity, and excellent depth, and black pepper flavours, complex, finely structured vibrant, tangy flavours of ripeness, delicacy and well-integrated toasty oak, wine, likely to be at its best peach, lemon and lime, complexity. Best drinking and a finely balanced, long, from 2016 onwards. $42 (A, deliciously rich, lively and mid-2015+. $40 savoury finish. Best drinking UK, US) long. $35 2016+. $35 Te Kairanga John Dog Point Vineyard Matua Single Vineyard Martin Martinborough star ratings  Marlborough Section Hawke’s Bay Merlot Pinot Noir 2013 HHHHH 94 2012 HHHHH 2013 HHHHH Dense, youthful red,Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Barrel-aged for 18 months, Powerful, deeply coloured, weighty and supple, withexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. this single-vineyard, classy red that should concentrated cherry, plumAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Marlborough sauvignon unfold well for many and spice flavours, ripe,professionals and are compared in peer blanc is made in an elegant, years. Concentrated nutty and complex. Deeplyclasses by three judges. very ageworthy style. Fresh plum, blackcurrant and coloured and savoury, withCM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, and fragrant, it is complex, spice flavours, with finely excellent cellaring potential.a major mail-order business. sweet-fruited, minerally and integrated, nutty oak and Open 2016+. $50 (A, UK)CD Cellar door price. racy, with citrusy, limey good tannin backbone.CDO Cellar door only. flavours, a hint of nuts, and Dense, but not tough, with Quarter Acre Hawke’sSO Sold out. a crisp, bone-dry, lasting impressive depth, ripeness Bay Chardonnay 2013$N/A Price not available at time of printing. finish. Open 2015+. $35 (A, and structure. Best drinking HHHHH UK, US) 2017+. $60 From Rod McDonald, this Contact information pg 190. is a classic regional style. A single-vineyard wine, hand- RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). picked and barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts, it has a complex bouquet, leading into a weighty palate with rich, ripe stonefruit flavours, concentrated, complex and long. Best drinking 2016+. $35176 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealand½ Craggy Range Calvert Matua Single Vineyard Yealands Estate Single Goldie Waiheke Island Vineyard Bannockburn Hawke’s Bay Merlot Vineyard Awatere Valley Syrah 2013 HHHH1/2Babich The Patriarch Pinot Noir 2012 Malbec 2013 HHHH1/2 Marlborough Gruner Delicious from the start,Malbec Cabernet HHHH1/2 Dark, purple-flushed, fruit- Veltliner 2014 HHHH1/2 this dark, softly mouthfillingSauvignon 2012 This sweet-fruited, finely packed blend from the Full of personality, this red (14.8% alc/vol) has rich,HHHH1/2 textured red has strong Matheson Vineyard. Dense mouthfilling, rich wine beautifully ripe plum andThis stylish Gimblett cherry and plum flavours. and vibrantly fruity, with was partly (15%) barrel- black pepper flavours. A bigGravels, Hawke’s Bay red Deep ruby, it’s a youthful, concentrated blackcurrant, fermented. Delicious wine, in terms of body andis a blend of malbec (56%) savoury, intensely varietal plum and spice flavours, a from the start, it has flavour, it is intensely varietaland cabernet sauvignon Central Otago wine with hint of dark chocolate, and a concentrated, ripe peach, and very harmonious, with(44%). Deeply coloured, excellent concentration silky texture. $60 nectarine and spice finely integrated oak (French,with a fresh, spicy, sweetly and complexity, finely Nanny Goat Vineyard flavours, moderate acidity 20% new) and gentleoaked bouquet, it is full- balanced tannins and good Super Nanny Central and a long, dry, well- tannins. $42bodied and fresh, with cellaring potential. Otago Pinot Noir rounded finish. $23 (A, UK) Main Divide Waiparayouthful blackcurrant, plum $59.95 (A, UK) 2013 HHHH1/2 Yealands Estate Valley Gewurztraminerand spice flavours, hints of Deutz Marlborough Ripely scented, deeply Winemaker’s Reserve 2012 HHHH1/2dark chocolate and nuts, Cuvée Blanc de Blancs coloured Bannockburn Awatere Valley This bargain-priced, partlyand good concentration. 2010 HHHH1/2 red, densely packed Marlborough Sauvignon barrel-fermented wine isOpen 2016+. $70 Light straw hue, with a with vibrant plum, cherry Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 delicious now. The bouquetBabich Winemakers’ fragrant, citrusy, slightly and spice flavours. Stylish, tightly structured is spicy and full-bloomed;Reserve Hawke’s Bay buttery bouquet. Rich, with Concentrated, well-ripened wine, hand-harvested and the palate mouthfilling andSyrah 2013 HHHH1/2 crisp, lemony, slightly nutty red with oak complexity partly barrel-fermented. seductively smooth, withWeighty, bold red with and toasty flavours, and a and fine-grained tannins. Concentrated tropical fruit concentrated, peachy, slightlydeep, ripe blackcurrant, lasting finish. (Chardonnay- Open mid-2015+. $51 (A) flavours to the fore, with gingery and honeyed flavours,plum and black pepper based blend, grown on the Sacred Hill Deerstalkers a herbal undercurrent, a gentle sweetness and a long,flavours and well-integrated south side of the Wairau Hawke’s Bay Syrah subtle seasoning of oak, and well-spiced finish. (Fromoak. Still very youthful, but Valley.) $33 2012 HHHH1/2 a long, dry finish. It’s still Pegasus Bay.) $19.95rich, finely textured and Deutz Marlborough Single-vineyard red, grown youthful; best drinking mid- Mount Riley 17harmonious, with a long Prestige Cuvée in the Gimblett Gravels, with 2015+. $28 Valley Marlboroughfuture ahead. $30 2011 HHHH1/2 deep, purple-flushed colour. Alpha DomusThe Chardonnay 2013Black Barn Vineyards Bright, light lemon/green. Bold and punchy, with Barnstormer Syrah HHHH1/2Hawke’s Bay Barrel Fresh and youthful, with vibrant, rich blackcurrant, 2013 HHHH1/2 Weighty, finely textured wineFermented Chardonnay intense, yeasty, slightly plum and spice flavours, and Powerful, finely poised wine from a Wairau Valley site,2013 HHHH1/2 nutty flavours, excellent fine-grained tannins. Drink from the Bridge Pa Triangle, hand-harvested, fermentedClassic Hawke’s Bay style, vigour, and a finely poised, now or cellar. $60 in Hawke’s Bay. Dark, with indigenous yeasts andgrown at Havelock North. long finish. $33 Te Kairanga Runholder beautifully floral and supple, French oak-aged for 10Weighty and rich, with Folding Hill Bendigo Martinborough Pinot with vibrant blackcurrant months. Classy, with youthfulconcentrated, ripe stonefruit Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH1/2 and spice flavours, showing grapefruit and peach flavours,flavours, buttery, mealy Noir 2012 HHHH1/2 Scented and supple, with excellent ripeness and subtle toasty and mealy notesand toasty notes adding Savoury, spicy red, good density of cherry, plum concentration. $32 adding complexity, excellentcomplexity, and a rounded showing excellent power, and spice flavours, fresh, Clearview Reserve delicacy and harmony, and afinish. Refined, youthful structure and complexity. strong and youthful. Full- Hawke’s Bay well-rounded finish. $32wine; open mid-2015+. $35 Concentrated and ripely coloured, with fine-grained Chardonnay 2013 Mountford EstateBrancott Estate Letter flavoured, with good tannin tannins and excellent depth HHHH1/2 Waipara ValleySeries ‘P’ Marlborough support and impressive and harmony. Best 2016+. Still extremely youthful, this Chardonnay 2010Gewurztraminer harmony. Well worth $35 (A, UK) powerful wine (14.5% alc/ HHHH1/22013 HHHH1/2 cellaring. $45 (A, UK) Stoneleigh Rapaura vol) was hand-picked at Te Fragrant, elegant, full-bodiedPerfumed, ripe, slightly Martinborough Series Marlborough Awanga and barrel-fermented wine with a powerful surgemusky bouquet. Full-bodied Vineyard Chardonnay Pinot Gris 2014 (mostly in new oak). It of citrusy, slightly butteryand very harmonious, 2012 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 offers rich, peachy, citrusy flavours, well-integratedwith an array of peach, Still youthful, this rich, Delicious from the start, flavours, fresh and vibrant, oak (French, 40% new), acitrus fruit, pear and spice barrel-fermented wine this single-vineyard wine is with mealy, toasty notes minerally thread, good ‘drive’flavours, showing excellent is mouthfilling, with an Alsace-style pinot gris, adding complexity and a crisp, through the palate and adelicacy and richness, gentle concentrated, vibrant peach mouthfilling and rich, with slightly buttery finish. Best tightly structured finish. Drinksweetness, and a long, well- and grapefruit flavours, a ripe peach, ginger, apricot drinking 2016+. $37 (A) now-2016. $50 (A, UK, US)rounded finish. Delicious hint of butterscotch, oak and spice flavours, a gentle Clearview Vineyarddrinking now onwards. $33 complexity and fresh acidity. splash of sweetness and Selection Hawke’sCoopers Creek SV The Open 2015+. $39 (A, UK, US) balanced acidity. Best Bay ChardonnayLittle Rascal Gisborne drinking mid-2015+. $28 2012 HHHH1/2Arneis 2013 HHHH1/2 Tightly structured, elegantPowerful, full-bodied wine style from Te Awanga, made(14.5% alc/vol), vibrantly using relatively early pickingfruity, with rich, ripe flavours and ‘a restrained hand in theof pears, spices and herbs winemaking’. Distinctive,and a dryish, long finish. medium to full-bodied wineDelicious, all-purpose wine, with citrusy, slightly mealydrinking well now onwards. flavours, a minerally streak,$25 (UK) and impressive delicacy, harmony and length. $41 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 177

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandPisa Range Estate Pisa Spy Valley Envoy Craggy Range Te Muna Spy Valley Ataahua WaiparaCentral Otago Riesling Johnson Vineyard Aroha 2012 HHHH1/2 Echelon Marlborough Gewurztraminer 20122013 HHHH1/2 Waihopai Valley Finely scented, savoury Methode Traditionnelle HHHH1/2Floral, citrusy bouquet. Full- Marlborough Pinot Noir red, grown at Te Muna, 2010 HHHH1/2 Richly perfumed, powerfulbodied, bone-dry style (2 2012 HHHH1/2 on the southern edge Distinctive, very pale straw and weighty wine, withgrams/litre residual sugar), Hand-picked at over 25 of Martinborough. Full- wine, blended from hand- substantial body, avery crisp and lively, with brix from the oldest vines coloured, with strong cherry, picked pinot noir (52 per slightly oily texture andtightly structured, intense, and barrel-aged for 18 plum, strawberry and spice cent) and chardonnay (48 concentrated, citrusy, slightlygrapefruit-like flavours, months, this red is still very flavours, showing good per cent). Fermented and gingery, well-spiced flavours.pure, slightly spicy and youthful. Richly coloured, complexity, and very fine- aged for a year in old oak, Delicious drinking nowlingering. Full of youthful with substantial body grained tannins, giving a bottled, and disgorged onwards. $24drive and thrust, but not and fresh acidity woven seductively silky texture. after two years on its yeast Borthwick Vineyardaustere, it’s approachable through its impressively Best drinking 2016+. lees. Impressively rich Wairarapa Sauvignonnow and should mature concentrated cherry, plum $99.95 (A, UK, US) and complex, with deep, Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2gracefully. $28 (A, USA) and spice flavours, it’s a peachy, nutty flavours and Full-bodied, fresh and ripelySoderberg Single tightly-structured, supple Pask Small Batch a strongly yeasty, dry, long herbaceous, with sweet-fruitVineyard Home Block wine, well worth cellaring to Gimblett Road Wild finish. $40 delights, generous tropicalMarlborough Pinot Noir 2016+. $59 (A, US) Ferment Chardonnay Spy Valley Marlborough fruit flavours and a dry, well-2011 HHHH1/2 Waimea Nelson 2013 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay 2013 rounded finish. A top vintageFrom a vineyard (formerly Chardonnay 2013 Richly fragrant, estate- HHHH1/2 of this label. $22 (A, UK, US)known as Koru) on the HHHH1/2 grown wine from Hawke’s Fragrant, mouthfilling Brick Bay Matakanasouth side of the Wairau Instantly appealing, this Bay, fermented with and vibrantly fruity, with Pinot Gris 2013Valley, this is a deeply barrel-fermented wine is indigenous yeasts and strong peach and citrus HHHH1/2coloured, very sweet- weighty and well-rounded, matured in seasoned fruit flavours, barrel Instantly appealing,fruited and velvety red with a strong surge of ripe, French oak casks. A classic ferment complexity, and Alsace style pinot griswith generous plum, nut vibrant, peachy, citrusy regional style, weighty, with excellent delicacy, depth with substantial body,and slight licorice flavours, flavours, toasty oak adding generous, ripe, stonefruit and harmony. Immaculate, concentrated, ripe flavours ofdeliciously rich and complexity and excellent and nut flavours, showing tightly structured wine, still peaches, pears and spices, arounded. $37 (A) harmony and depth. Already excellent concentration and youthful and great value. hint of apricots, a slightly oilySoho Carter Waiheke delicious, it should be at its complexity. Best drinking $24 (A) texture and an off-dry, well-Island Chardonnay best mid-2015+. $30 2015+. Fine value at $25. Staete Landt Annabel rounded finish. $322013 HHHH1/2 Brancott Estate Pisa Range Estate Black Marlborough Sauvignon Cable Bay MarlboroughPowerful, mouthfilling and Letter Series B Late Poplar Block Pinot Noir Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc 2013sweet-fruited wine, instantly Harvest Marlborough 2012 HHHH1/2 Fragrant, with ripe fruit HHHH1/2attractive, with concentrated Sauvignon Blanc Elegant, silky-textured aromas and a touch of oak/ Classy, mouthfilling, sweet-peach and melon flavours, 2013 (375ml) HHHH1/2 Central Otago red with a lees-ageing complexity. fruited wine, attractivelya hint of grilled nuts, gentle Beautifully scented, deep ruby hue and perfumed Weighty Wairau Valley style, scented, with concentratedacidity and a slightly creamy sweet and soft, with pure, bouquet. Full-bodied, with strong, fresh, well- melon/lime flavours, showingtexture. A mouthfilling, well- gentle, very ripe and non- sweet-fruited and supple, ripened nectarine and lime excellent ripeness androunded, typical northern herbaceous flavours, and with strong cherry, plum flavours, a fine thread of complexity, and a finelystyle, it shows excellent depth a slightly oily texture. Light and nut flavours, youthful acidity and a dry, long finish. textured, dry, long finish. $27and cellaring potential. $38 (9.5 per cent alc/vol) and and persistent. Best drinking $26 (A, UK, US) (A, UK, US)Soho Havana lovely, with excellent depth 2016+. $54 (A, UK, US) Staete Landt Josephine Cable Bay Sweet GloriaMarlborough Pinot Noir and harmony. $36 Soho Carter Waiheke Marlborough Late Harvest Viognier2013 HHHH1/2 Church Road Hawke’s Island Chardonnay Chardonnay 2011 2012 (375ml) HHHH1/2Fleshy and concentrated, Bay Rosé 2013 2013 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 Golden, honeyed wine, madethis is a bold style of pinot HHHH1/2 Powerful young wine, full- Full-bodied, complex, estate- from botrytis-affected grapesnoir, from a single site in the Softly mouthfilling blend bodied and sweet-fruited, grown wine, hand-harvested and handled in old oakSouthern Valleys. Deeply of merlot, syrah, cabernet with concentrated, ripe and fermented and matured barrels. Instantly seductive,coloured and sturdy, it has sauvignon and malbec. peach and melon flavours, for 18 months in French with concentrated peach,fresh, concentrated plum Salmon pink, with substantial a hint of grilled nuts and oak puncheons (10 per apricot and honey flavours,and spice flavours, seasoned body (14.5 per cent alc/ gentle acidity. Instantly cent new). Refined, with showing good complexity,with nutty oak, good vol) and delicious depth of attractive, with vibrant fruit youthful, vibrant grapefruit and a sweet, soft finish.complexity and the structure strawberry, spice and slight characters, finely integrated and peach flavours, showing Already delicious. $45to mature well. Open 2016+. apricot flavours, smooth and oak and excellent depth and good richness, balanced Cable Bay Waiheke$38 (A) lingering. Delicious now. A potential. $38 acidity, slightly toasty notes Island Rosé 2013 bargain at $19.95. and obvious potential. $35 HHHH1/2 (A, UK, US) Fleshy, generous blend of merlot (mostly) and malbec. Bright pink/pale red, with excellent weight and depth of plum, red berry and spice flavours, dry and smooth. A serious, satisfying rosé. $23178 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandFolding Hill Orchard Spy Valley Marlborough Terrace Edge Waipara Auburn Lowburn Jackson Estate GumBlock Central Otago Pinot Gris 2013 Valley Pinot Noir 2012 Central Otago Riesling Emperor VineyardPinot Noir 2010 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH1/2 Marlborough Pinot NoirHHHH1/2 Delicious young. Full- Very youthful and ageworthy Light-bodied, sweetish style 2011 HHHH1/2Full-bodied, savoury and bodied, finely textured and wine, full-coloured, (75 grams/litre of residual Graceful, perfumed red, withcomplex red, barrel-aged harmonious wine, partly mouthfilling, fresh and sugar), with a strong surge youthful, ruby colour andfor 18 months (French, 33 barrel-fermented, with savoury. Strong plum, cherry of lemony, slightly spicy lovely flow across the palate.per cent new) and bottled generous, peachy, spicy, and spice flavours, with flavours, tangy acidity, Still developing but deliciousunfined and unfiltered. Deep slightly honeyed flavours, excellent ripeness and good and excellent delicacy and now, with sweet-fruitand still fairly youthful in a sliver of sweetness and acidity. Priced sharply. $30 length. Drink now or cellar. delights and vibrant cherry/colour, with dense plum and fresh acidity keeping things Vavasour Awatere Valley $35 (A) plum flavours, savoury andspice flavours, nutty oak and lively. $24 (A, UK, US) Marlborough Sauvignon Ataahua Waipara supple. $50 (A, UK, US)firm tannins. Best 2015+. Maude Central Otago Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 Riesling 2013 HHHH1/2 Jackson Estate Shelter$55 (UK) Pinot Noir 2012 Estate-grown, this is a classic Scented, with rich Belt MarlboroughGrove Mill Wairau HHHH1/2 Awatere style - weighty, with passionfruit, peach, lime and Chardonnay 2012Valley Marlborough Classy blend from multiple lifted, “tomato stalk” aromas spice flavours. A delicious HHHH1/2Gewurztraminer 2013 sites, including Mount and vibrant melon, green drink-young style, gently Fragrant, complex, barrel-HHHH1/2 Maude Vineyard, Wanaka. capsicum and lime flavours, sweet, with impressive fermented style, mouthfillingExotically perfumed wine, Full-coloured and vibrantly penetrating, very pure and concentration, harmony and and creamy-textured,handled in tanks and fruity, with very generous, crisp. (From Foley Family personality. $24 with rich, citrusy, peachy,seasoned oak barrels. ripe cherry, plum and spice Wines.) $22 (A, UK, US) Aurum Central Otago nutty flavours and a long,Mouthfilling, gently sweet flavours, showing good Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2012 harmonious finish. Drinkstyle, with excellent depth complexity, and fine-grained Marlborough Noble HHHH1/2 now or cellar. Fine value.of peach, lychee, spice and tannins. Already delicious but Riesling 2013 (375ml) Powerful, mouthfilling and $26 (A, UK, US)ginger flavours, a slightly best drinking 2015+. $36 (A, HHHH1/2 firm, with loads of plummy, John Forrest Collectionoily texture, and a finely UK, US) Delicious from the start, spicy flavour, seasoned Gimblett Gravelsbalanced, soft finish. (Foley this finely poised wine was with nutty oak. Savoury, Hawke’s Bay SyrahFamily Wines.) Great value Pask Declaration blended from riesling (87 per with hints of herbs and 2009 HHHH1/2at $20. Hawke’s Bay cent), picked with an 80-85 dark chocolate. Youthful, Sturdy, still-youthful wine,Kalex Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 per cent botrytis infection, ageworthy wine, offering with deep, slightly purple-Waipara Pinot Gris 2012 HHHH1/2 and viognier (13 per cent). good value. $35 (A) flushed colour and a strongHHHH1/2 Elegant, tightly structured It has lovely, late harvest Aurum Madeleine surge of blackcurrant, plumAlready delicious, this wine, grown in the Gimblett fruit characters and peachy, Central Otago Pinot and spice flavours. Vibrantlyscented, rich wine offers Gravels and fermented honeyed flavours, sweet and Noir 2012 HHHH1/2 fruity and finely textured,concentrated stonefruit and and matured in French rich. $28 (UK) A “feminine” style, silky, with good density, it shouldspice flavours, with slightly oak casks (100 per cent subtle and elegant. Ruby be very long-lived. $65 (UK)gingery notes. new). A complex, slightly Whitehaven hued, floral and supple, with John Forrest CollectionA medium style, it is smoky bouquet leads into Marlborough Sauvignon ripe, sweet-fruit characters Waitaki Valleyvibrantly fruity and gently stonefruit and toast f Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2 and an array of red berry, Chardonnay 2011honeyed, with excellent lavours, showing Weighty and dry, with vibrant plum, spice and nut flavours, HHHH1/2depth and harmony. $24 fresh acidity and good melon, green capsicum and showing excellent delicacy Drinking well now, thisMan O’ War Exiled Ponui concentration. It’s still passionfruit flavours. Classic and harmony. Drink now or North Otago wine isIsland Pinot Gris 2013 very youthful; open 2015+. regional style, combining cellar. $65 fragrant and mouthfilling,HHHH1/2 $40 (UK) fresh tropical fruit and Crossroads Winemakers with rich, citrusy, mealy,Powerful young wine from Spy Valley Marlborough herbaceous characters, with Collection Hawke’s Bay buttery flavours and finelyPonui Island, near Waiheke Riesling 2013 HHHH1/2 excellent intensity. $23 (A, Syrah 2012 HHHH1/2 integrated oak. ShowingIsland in Auckland. Very Instantly appealing, full- UK, US) Classy, deeply coloured excellent concentration andfull-bodied (14.5 per cent alc/ bodied, dryish wine, Auburn Bannockburn Gimblett Gravels red good acid spine, it’s veryvol), with gentle sweetness, with rich, citrusy, limey Central Otago Riesling with vibrant blackcurrant open and expressive, with acrisp acidity and highly flavours, hints of spices and 2013 HHHH1/2 and spice flavours, ripe long finish. $50concentrated apricot and passionfruit, and appetising Finely poised, racy, medium and concentrated. Rich John Forrest Collectionspice flavours. Still very acidity. Very fresh and style (24 grams/litre of and silky textured, with Waitaki Valley Pinotyouthful and shows obvious lively, with good weight and residual sugar), with good acid impressive complexity and Noir 2011 HHHH1/2potential; best drinking intensity. $24 (A, UK, US) spine and fresh, penetrating obvious cellaring potential. Attractively scented, with2015+. $33 (A, UK, US) lemon, apple and spice $39.95 (UK) plum, herb, spice and nut flavours. Full of youthful Giesen Riesling 2013 flavours, showing excellent vigour and potential. $35 (A) HHHH1/2 complexity. Savoury and Delicious, bargain-priced ripe, with good tannin wine, blended from support. Already delicious, Waipara (63 per cent) and but probably at its best Marlborough (37 per cent) 2015+. $65 (UK) grapes. Light-bodied and gently sweet (44 grams/litre of residual sugar), with lovely lemon, lime and slight peach flavours, strong, zesty and youthful. $19 (A, UK, US) Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 179

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandMain Divide Waipara Spy Valley Marlborough Ataahua Waipara Brancott Estate Craggy Range TeValley Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer 2013 Chardonnay 2013 Hawke’s Bay Merlot Muna Road Vineyard2013 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 HHHH 2013 HHHH Martinborough PinotHighly fragrant, peachy, Exotically perfumed wine Mouthfilling, sweet-fruited Densely coloured, robust Noir 2012 HHHHslightly honeyed and spicy full of personality. Rich, wine, barrel-fermented and red (14.5% alc/vol), with Estate-grown, this is a rubybouquet. Weighty, with ripe and rounded, with lees-aged for 11 months. blackcurrant and plum hued, weighty red witha slightly oily texture, substantial body (14 per Fleshy and rich, with flavours, showing excellent moderately concentratedgentle sweetness and cent alc/vol) and a powerful youthful, citrusy, peachy freshness and depth. Bold, cherry, plum, herb, spiceconcentrated, ripe stonefruit surge of peach, ginger and flavours, gently seasoned very ripe fruit flavours to the and nut flavours, showingand spice flavours. Still spice flavours, dryish and with oak, good complexity fore, with a restrained oak good tannin support, andyouthful. Great value from very harmonious. Fine value. and a well-rounded finish. influence and finely balanced considerable complexity.Pegasus Bay. $19.95 (A, UK) $24 (A, UK, US) Best drinking 2016+. $28 tannins. Best drinking Best drinking 2016+. $43Passage Rock Reserve Waimea Nelson Pinot 2016+. Fine value. $17Waiheke Island Viognier Gris 2013 HHHH1/2 Ataahua Waipara Brancott Estate Special De Vine Central Otago2013 HHHH1/2 Finely poised, tight and Gewurztraminer Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 HHHHBold style, with substantial elegant. Mouthfilling, very 2013 HHHH Fumé Blanc 2014 HHHH Drinking well now, thisbody (14.5 per cent alc/ fresh and youthful, with a Full of personality, with Weighty and finely textured, bright, full-coloured red isvol), ripe, sweet fruit slightly oily texture, strong mouthfilling body and good with fresh, ripe, slightly mouthfilling and savoury,characters, strong, peachy, peach, pear and lychee concentration of vibrant peachy flavours, gently with generous, ripe plumtoasty flavours and a slightly flavours, hints of ginger and peach, pear, ginger and seasoned with toasty oak, and spice flavours, a hintcreamy texture. Youthful, spice, and a crisp, slightly spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity and a of herbs, considerablewith a dry, well-rounded sweet finish. Best drinking some complexity. Already dry, lingering finish. $19.95 complexity and a well-finish. Currently slightly 2015+. $24 (UK) enjoyable, but well worth Babich Gimblett Gravels rounded finish. Pricedoaky; open 2015+. $40 Waipara Hills Equinox cellaring. $24 Merlot Cabernet sharply. $26 Waipara Valley Riesling 2013 HHHHSpy Valley Envoy 2013 HHHH1/2 Babich Family Estates Grown in the Irongate Domain Road VineyardMarlborough Sauvignon Full-bodied, medium style, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard and oak-matured Bannockburn CentralBlanc 2012 HHHH1/2 estate-grown, hand-picked Chardonnay 2013 for six months, this is a Otago Duffers CreekTight, elegant and youthful. and barrel-fermented. Richly HHHH deeply coloured, full-bodied Riesling 2013 HHHHMouthfilling body, with scented, with generous, Stylish, full-bodied wine with red, packed with youthful, Full of youthful vigour,a complex bouquet and peachy, citrusy, spicy a citrusy, savoury bouquet. ripe, plummy, spicy flavour. this is a medium style (19vibrant melon, grapefruit, flavours, showing good Weighty, with vibrant, Showing excellent vibrancy, grams/litre residual sugar),lime and nut flavours, gently complexity and excellent grapefruit-like flavours, depth and structure, it vibrantly fruity, with strong,seasoned with oak. Very harmony. Best drinking gently seasoned with toasty should mature well. Fine ripe grapefruit/lime flavours,ageworthy wine, hand- 2016+. $35 oak and excellent vigour, value. $22 (UK) showing excellent freshness,picked and barrel-fermented. intensity and complexity. $25 Brancott Estate Special balance and depth. Best$31 (A, UK, US)  Reserve Marlborough drinking 2016+. $25 (A)Spy Valley Envoy Babich Family Estates Sauvignon BlancMarlborough Angela Stone Nelson Gimblett Gravels 2014 HHHH Domain Road VineyardChardonnay 2012 Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Gewurztraminer Mouthfilling and racy, Bannockburn CentralHHHH1/2 Weighty, youthful, single- 2013 HHHH with pure, punchy melon, Otago The Water RaceTight, elegant wine, still vineyard wine fermented Delicious now, this is a passionfruit and lime Dry Riesling 2013very youthful. Estate-grown and matured in French and substantial, full-bodied flavours, showing excellent HHHHin the Waihopai Valley and American oak barriques. Hawke’s Bay wine, made vigour and depth. $19.95 Aromatic and lively, this fresh,barrel-aged for 18 months, it Powerful, full-bodied in a dry style with a slightly Craggy Range full-bodied wine has crisp,has mouthfilling body, deep style with generous, ripe, oily texture and strong, Kidnappers Vineyard ripe, grapefruit-like flavours,grapefruit-like flavours, with peachy, citrusy flavours, ripe, peachy, spicy, slightly Hawke’s Bay with a minerally, long finish.hints of limes and nuts, a buttery and toasty notes gingery flavours, showing Chardonnay 2013 HHHH It’s still very youthful; openminerally streak and a long adding complexity, balanced good complexity. $25 Grown near the coast, at 2016+. $25 (A, UK)finish. Still a baby, it’s a acidity and obvious cellaring Te Awanga, this highlyclassic cellaring style; open potential. $35 Black Barn Vineyards attractive, fruit-driven wine Domain Road Vineyard2015+. $41 (A, UK) Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir was handled in tanks and Bannockburn Central 2013 HHHH barrels. Pale, it is very fresh Otago Sauvignon Blanc Deep ruby, softly textured and vibrant, with subtle oak/ 2013 HHHH red, mouthfilling, with lees-aging notes adding Hand-picked and partly generous strawberry and complexity and a lemony, (24%) barrel-fermented, spice flavours, ripe and long finish. $25 (A, UK, US) this is a mouthfilling, ripely rounded. Sweet-fruited, herbaceous style, fresh savoury wine that’s already and youthful, with hints of drinking well. $33 pineapple, passionfruit and toasty oak, good complexity and a crisp, dry finish. Worth cellaring. $23 (A, UK)180 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandMartinborough Stoneleigh Tinpot Hut Church Road Hawke’s O:TU Blend 102Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Marlborough Pinot McKee Vineyard Bay Chardonnay Marlborough SauvignonNoir 2013 HHHH Noir Rosé Marlborough Gruner 2013 HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHHDelicious young, this is a 2014 HHHH Veltliner 2013 HHHH Fragrant bouquet, showing Ripely scented Awaterefloral, mouthfilling, sweet- Bright, inviting pale pink Invitingly scented, Awatere impressive complexity. Valley wine, estate-grownfruited red with strong, colour. Mouthfilling and Valley wine with fresh, Mouthfilling, with strong, in the Dysarts Block,ripe cherry, plum and spice very lively, with generous vibrant citrus fruit and lychee peachy, faintly buttery with tropical fruit flavoursflavours. Savoury and supple, strawberry and spice flavours, showing excellent flavours, excellent harmony showing good richness.with good concentration, it flavours, a hint of apricot, depth and drive and a dry, and a smooth finish. Still Crisp, with a finely balanced,should be at its best mid- good balance and a fresh, lengthy finish. $25 (UK) youthful, but already lingering finish. $262015+. $30 (A, UK, US) dryish finish. Delicious Yealands Estate delicious and a wonderfulKingsmill Tippet’s Dam young. Good value. $17 Marlborough Pinot Noir buy at $19.95. Pask Small BatchBannockburn Central Rosé 2014 HHHH Elephant Hill Hawke’s Gimblett Road Sur LieOtago Pinot Noir Stoneleigh Rapaura Instantly appealing, this Bay Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 2013 HHHH2011 HHHH Series Marlborough is a single-vineyard, 2013 HHHH Elegant, slightly chablis-Delicious now, this ruby-hued Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH Awatere Valley wine. Pink/ Mouthfilling, crisp, like wine from Hawke’sred is scented and supple, Silky-textured, single- pale orange, it is weighty vibrantly fruity wine, Bay, matured in seasonedwith vibrant cherry/plum vineyard red, mouthfilling and smooth, with fresh, estate-grown near the French oak casks. Freshflavours, slightly spicy and (14.5% alc/vol) and sweet- generous strawberry and coast at Te Awanga. Tight and lemony, with youthfulnutty. Finely textured, it’s fruited, with generous spice flavours and a finely and lively, with sweet vigour, some peachya ‘feminine’ style, showing cherry, plum and spice balanced, dry finish. $23 fruit characters and fresh, and nutty notes addingexcellent harmony. $35 flavours, gentle acidity and (A, UK, US) strong, tropical fruit complexity, balanced acidityMatua Lands & tannins, and a rich, well- Yealands Estate flavours, showing a touch and a long finish. BestLegends Hawke’s Bay rounded finish. Drink now or Winemaker’s Reserve of lees-ageing complexity. drinking 2015+. $25Chardonnay 2013 HHHH cellar. $28 Awatere Valley Excellent example of the Map MakerFleshy, generous wine, Marlborough Pinot Noir regional style. $22 Marlborough Sauvignonhand-harvested in Te Kairanga 2013 HHHH Hunter’s Marlborough Blanc 2013 HHHHthe Gimblett Gravels. Martinborough Full-coloured, rich and Gewurztraminer Estate-grown at Rapaura,Mouthfilling, with strong, Chardonnay 2013 smooth, with generous 2013 HHHH this mouthfilling, crisp,peachy, slightly buttery HHHH berry and plum flavours Richly perfumed and dry wine shows very goodflavours, balanced oak, and Lemon-scented, mouthfilling to the fore, a hint of dried mouthfilling, with fresh, freshness, vigour anda well-rounded finish. Drink wine with vibrant peach and herbs, and finely integrated pure lychee, pear and depth. Sweet-fruited, it’s anow or cellar. $23 grapefruit flavours, showing oak (matured for a year in spice flavours, a hint of strongly varietal wine, withPaddy Borthwick good concentration, a subtle French oak barrels, 30% ginger, and an off-dry finish. pure tropical fruit flavours,New Zealand Pinot Gris oak influence (10 months in new). Vibrant, finely poised Vibrantly fruity, youthful tight, lively and generous,2013 HHHH French oak, 20% new), and wine, well worth cellaring. wine, with excellent drive and a minerally streak. FineFrom Gladstone, in the slightly mealy and buttery $40 (A, UK, US) and harmony. $23 (A, UK) value. (From Staete Landt.)Wairarapa, this ripely notes adding complexity. $19 (A, UK, US)scented, mouthfilling wine Drink now or cellar. $25 (A) Yealands Estate Map Makerhas generous, ripe, peachy Winemaker’s Reserve Marlborough Pureflavours, with hints of Te Kairanga Gibbston Central Otago Chardonnayapricots, spices and honey. Martinborough Pinot Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH 2012 HHHHShowing good concentration, Noir 2013 HHHH Deeply coloured, youthful Lemon-scented, fruit-it’s a drink-now or cellaring Stylish young red, full- red from the Gibbston driven style (barrel-proposition. $24 coloured and floral, with district, revealing fresh plum fermented but not barrel-Spy Valley good body and strong, ripe and dried herb aromas and aged), with citrusy, slightlyMarlborough cherry, plum and spice flavours. Mouthfilling and nutty and buttery flavours,Sauvignon Blanc flavours, showing some vibrantly fruity, with a subtle and good acid spine.2014 HHHH savoury complexity. Well oak influence (matured for Drinking well now and fineClassic Wairau Valley style worth cellaring and good a year in French oak barrels, value. (From Staete Landt.)with mouthfilling body, value. $27 (A, UK) 25% new), excellent depth $21 (A, UK, US)strong, ripe, passionfruit- and ripe, supple tannins. $40 Map Makerlike flavours and a touch of The Crossings (A, UK, US) Marlborough Pinot Griscomplexity from ‘a portion’ Marlborough Sauvignon Ballasalla Central Otago 2013 HHHHof barrel fermentation. Blanc 2014 HHHH Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH Scented and full-bodied,Generous, smooth wine, Refined Awatere Valley Mouthfilling, ruby hued, with generous pear/lycheedrinking well from the start. wine with good weight and single-vineyard red from flavours, showing a touch$20 (A, UK, US) strong, vibrant passionfruit Bendigo. Scented, slightly of complexity (40 per cent and lime flavours. Ripe style spicy bouquet, leading into of the blend was fermented with a herbal undercurrent, a sweet-fruited, savoury and in old puncheons). Good a slightly minerally streak supple wine, with cherry, vigour, with a dryish, slightly and very good harmony and plum and spice flavours creamy finish. (From Staete length. $20 (A, UK, US) showing good complexity. Landt.) $21 (A) Priced right. (From Folding Hill Vineyard.) $29.95 Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 181

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandQuest Farm Central Spy Valley Single Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Kapiro Vineyard Kerikeri Moutere Hills NelsonOtago Pinot Gris Vineyard Area H Lower Noir 2012 HHHH Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH2013 HHHH Wairau Marlborough Full-coloured, youthful Hand-picked in Northland, Full-coloured, youthful wineCrisp, lively, pinot Sauvignon Blanc red from Gibbston, with this is a full-bodied, Alsace- with a plummy, slightly spicygrigio style, with some 2013 HHHH excellent depth of ripe plum stye pinot gris, with a gentle bouquet. Mouthfilling andgewurztraminer and viognier Barrel-aged style with strong and dried herb flavours. splash of sweetness amidst sweet-fruited, with freshin the blend. Dryish, with melon, lime and green Fresh and savoury, with its ripe peach, pear, lychee cherry, plum, dried herbcitrus fruit, pear, lychee and capsicum flavours, a gentle good complexity, gentle and ginger flavours. Fleshy and spice flavours, showingspice flavours, showing very seasoning of nutty oak and a tannins and obvious cellaring and concentrated, it’s already excellent depth, savoury,good depth and immediacy. crisp, tangy finish. Strongly potential. $42 (A) drinking well. $30 earthy notes adding complexityHighly aromatic, very fresh varietal wine, starting to Main Divide Waipara and a firm backbone of tannin.and vibrant, with a long, develop good complexity. $24 Dashwood Valley Chardonnay Best drinking 2015+. $32spicy finish. $25 (A) Marlborough Sauvignon 2011 HHHH Staete Landt Blanc 2013 HHHH Sturdy, youthful wine with Pask Gimblett RoadSileni The Peak Hawke’s Marlborough Viognier Forthright, herbaceous fresh, strong, peachy, spicy, Barrique FermentedBay Syrah 2013 HHHH 2012 HHHH style, from the Wairau and slightly buttery flavours, a Sauvignon BlancDeeply coloured, rich and Distinctly cool-climate Awatere valleys. Highly subtle seasoning of oak, and 2013 HHHHsmooth, with impressive style with fresh acidity. aromatic, with a minerally very good complexity and Fleshy, with good weightfruit sweetness and strong Mouthfilling, with rich, streak and punchy melon, harmony. Fine value. (From and strong, ripe, tropical fruitplum, spice and black peachy, citrusy, spicy green capsicum and lime Pegasus Bay.) $20 (A, UK, US) flavours, gently seasonedpepper flavours. Fruit-driven flavours, oak complexity and flavours. Great value at $14. Man O’ War Valhalla with toasty oak. Shows goodstyle with drink-young a slightly buttery finish. Still (From Foley Family Wines.) Waiheke Island complexity, with a well-appeal, but also the potential developing. $37 (UK) (A, UK, US) Chardonnay 2012 HHHH rounded finish. $25to age well. $32 Pale straw, with a complex, Soho JaggerSoho Revolver Stoneleigh Latitude Distant Land slightly smoky bouquet. Marlborough Pinot Gris2012 HHHH Marlborough Marlborough Mouthfilling, crisp, tight and 2013 HHHHDeeply coloured Waiheke Chardonnay 2013 Gewurztraminer 2013 youthful, with strong, vibrant, Youthful Wairau Valley wine,Island blend of merlot (61 HHHH HHHH mealy, biscuity flavours, 10 per cent barrel-fermented.per cent), malbec (29 per Fresh, lemony scents. Aromatic, richly varietal showing good complexity. Mouthfilling, with freshcent), and cabernet franc Full-bodied, vibrant and wine, grown at Omaka, Currently slightly oaky, but well stonefruit and spice flavours,(10 per cent). Full-bodied, smooth, with lively acidity in the Wairau Valley. worth cellaring to 2015+. $42 showing a touch of complexity,with strong blackcurrant, and citrusy, slightly buttery Medium-bodied, with gentle (A, UK, US) and a slightly oily richness.plum and spice flavours, and toasty flavours, showing sweetness and strong, Marsden Bay of Islands Fleshy, dryish wine, stillhints of nuts and coffee, very good delicacy and citrusy, spicy, slightly Black Rocks Chardonnay unfolding. $27 (A, UK, US)good complexity and a firm depth. $23 gingery flavours. Already 2012 HHHH Soho Revolver 2012backbone of tannin. Open drinking well. $29 Nutty, oaky bouquet. Powerful, HHHH2015+. $40 (A) Stoneleigh Rapaura mouthfilling Northland wine, Full-flavoured blend of merlotSpy Valley Series Marlborough Distant Land with concentrated, peachy, (principally), malbec andMarlborough Merlot Chardonnay 2013 Marlborough Sauvignon toasty flavours (French and cabernet franc, estate-grownMalbec 2012 HHHH HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHH American oak-aged), a creamy on Waiheke Island. ShowsDark, youthful blend of Mouthfilling, creamy- Mouthfilling, crisp, sweet- texture and strong upfront good complexity, with strongmerlot (86 per cent) and textured, single-vineyard fruited wine, grown in the appeal. Still unfolding. $37 blackcurrant, berry, plum andmalbec (14 per cent), French wine, still unfolding. Rich, Wairau Valley. Fresh and Morepork Vineyard spice flavours, hints of coffeeoak-aged. “Full-on” style, ripe and peachy, with zingy, with good intensity of Northland Pinot Gris and nuts, and a firm tanninwith concentrated, dark toasty, buttery notes adding melon, capsicum and slight 2013 HHHH backbone. Best drinkingberry fruit flavours to the complexity. Best drinking passionfruit flavours, vibrant Fleshy, with concentrated, ripe, 2015+. $40 (A, UK)fore, slightly toasty, very mid-2015+. $28 and sustained. $20 peachy, spicy flavours, a gentlefresh and brambly. Drink splash of sweetness andnow or cellar. $24 (UK) 8 Ranges Central Otago Folding Hill Central Otago balanced acidity. A top vintage Pinot Rosé 2013 HHHH Pinot Noir 2011 HHHH of this label and already very From Tussock Ridge, near Deeply coloured, rich and expressive. $24 Alexandra, this bright pink supple, with fresh, youthful Moutere Hills Nelson wine is full-bodied and cherry, plum and nut flavours, Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH vibrantly fruity, with strong showing excellent complexity Instantly attractive, Alsace-style peach, watermelon and and harmony. $42 (A, UK) pinot gris, with substantial spice flavours, a touch of body and good concentration complexity and an off-dry, Grove Mill of pear, lychee and stonefruit appetisingly crisp finish. $27 Marlborough Sauvignon flavours. Generous, slightly Blanc 2013 HHHH sweet wine, showing excellent Cable Bay Waiheke A classic, full-bodied Wairau harmony. $23 Island Chardonnay Valley wine, with sweet-fruit 2011 HHHH delights. Fresh gooseberry, Fragrant, full-bodied wine, lime and passionfruit with generous grapefruit flavours, in a subtle, non- and slight nut flavours, herbaceous style showing showing good complexity excellent delicacy and and harmony, and a smooth length. (From Foley Family finish. A forward vintage, Wines.) $20 (A, US) it’s drinking well now. $38 (A, UK)182 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

new zealandSoho Stella Marlborough Woollaston Nelson DWPAR144121Sauvignon Blanc Riesling 2013 HHHH2013 HHHH Scented, racy, low alcoholConcentrated, lively wine style (8.5 per cent/vol)from the Awatere and Wairau with very good intensityvalleys, with fresh acidity and of citrusy, limey flavours.strong, ripe, passionfruit/lime Fresh, lively, tightlyflavours. Very good depth and structured wine, withvigour. $24 (A, UK, US) strong personality, alreadySoho Westwood Waiheke drinking well. CertifiedIsland Rosé 2013 HHHH organic. $23 (A)Pink/pale red, merlot-basedrosé, fresh and crisp, withvery good body and depth ofberry and plum flavours. Verylively and refreshing, with a dryfinish. $26 (A, UK, US)Soho White Collection Whitehaven MarlboroughMarlborough Pinot Gris Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH2013 HHHH Sturdy, warm and savouryWeighty, full-flavoured wine, red, sweet-fruited, with verygrown mostly in the Awatere satisfying depth of cherry,Valley. Mouthfilling, with plum and spice flavours.generous, peachy, spicy, Good complexity, with gentleslightly gingery flavours and a tannins and a well-roundeddryish, finely balanced finish. finish. Best drinking 2015+.Already drinking well. $20 (A, $35 (A, UK)UK, US) Whitehaven MarlboroughSquawking Magpie Riesling 2013 HHHHGimblett Gravels Lemon-scented, very youthfulChardonnay 2011 HHHH wine, full-bodied and tightlyFragrant, complex bouquet. structured, with strong, citrusy,Stylish wine, with citrusy, peachy, limey flavours and apeachy, slightly mealy and slightly sweet finish. Excellentbiscuity flavours, showing freshness, vigour and length.good concentration and $23 (A, UK)complexity. Youthful wine, well Woollaston Nelsonworth cellaring. $34 (A, UK) Sauvignon BlancTe Kairanga Runholder 2013 HHHHMartinborough Pinot Noir Fresh, punchy wine, grown2012 HHHH on the Waimea Plains, 10Substantial, charming per cent barrel-fermentedred with an inviting, floral (in old oak) and certifiedbouquet. Mouthfilling and organic. Full-bodied, withsmooth, with strong, ripe ripe tropical fruit flavoursplum, cherry and red berry to the fore, a herbalflavours, finely integrated oak undercurrent, a touch ofand savoury notes adding complexity and good acidcomplexity. Drink now or spine. $23 (A, UK, US)cellar. $31 (A, US) Ataahua Waipara PinotToiToi Brookdale Noir 2012 HHHHVineyard Marlborough Ruby hued, ageworthySauvignon Blanc wine, with good density.2013 HHHH Mouthfilling, with a warm,Omaka Valley wine, savoury palate, strongmouthfilling and sweet-fruited, plummy, spicy flavours, fine-with vibrant melon, capsicum grained tannins and goodand lime flavours, showing complexity. Best drinkingsome complexity, lively 2015+. $37acidity, and very good delicacyand intensity. $23 www.parous.com.au Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 183

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandAuburn Central Catalina Sounds Crossroads Milestone Crossroads Winemakers Dunnolly SingleOtago Dry Riesling Marlborough Pinot Gris Series Hawke’s Bay Collection Hawke’s Bay Vineyard Family Estate2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Cabernet Merlot Waipara Valley PinotCitrusy, slightly limey and Mouthfilling style, with Fleshy, full-bodied wine, 2012 HHHH Noir 2012 HHHHspicy flavours, showing peachy, slightly spicy with lots of upfront appeal. Deeply coloured, youthful Full-bodied, generous,excellent intensity. Tautly flavours, hints of ginger Peachy, slightly creamy and blend, with concentrated, sweet-fruited and supplestructured wine, slightly and apricots, and some toasty, in a sweet-fruited, blackcurrant-evoking red. Deep ruby, with strongaustere at this stage, with complexity from barrel moderately complex style, flavours, hints of plums plum and spice flavours, ajust 5 grams/litre of residual fermentation (17 per cent of with excellent depth and and herbs, and a strong gentle seasoning of nuttysugar and high acidity. the blend). Opening up well, harmony. Drink now or seasoning of toasty oak. It oak, and the substance andA strong candidate for with balanced acidity and a cellar. $21 (A, UK) shows good richness and structure to mature well.cellaring. $35 (A) long, dry finish. $25 (A) Crossroads Milestone complexity; open 2016+. Best drinking 2016+. $35Auburn Pisa Central Catalina Sounds Series Hawke’s Bay $39.95 (UK) Giesen The BrothersOtago Riesling Marlborough Sauvignon Gewurztraminer Crossroads Winemakers Marlborough Sauvignon2013 HHHH Blanc 2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH Collection Hawke’s Bay Blanc 2013 HHHHTight, youthful wine, with Mouthfilling, crisp, sweet- Softly seductive, with Chardonnay Freshly herbaceous blendcitrusy, peachy, spicy fruited and lively, with perfumed, spicy, Turkish 2012 HHHH of Wairau Valley (57 perflavours that linger well. very subtle oak handling delight aromas. Full-bodied, Slight “gunflint” aromas. cent) and Awatere Valley (43Medium style (30 grams/ (5 per cent fermentation with a slightly oily texture, Mouthfilling, with citrus per cent) fruit. Forthright,litre of residual sugar) with in puncheons and foudres) excellent delicacy and and stonefruit flavours, distinctly cool-climate style,a hint of sherbet, racy adding complexity to its depth of lychee and spice showing excellent delicacy, with gooseberry, greenacidity and good harmony. grapefruit, melon and lime flavours, and a gently complexity and harmony. capsicum and “tomato leaf”$35 (A) flavours. Vibrantly fruity, sweet, smooth finish. Best Stylish, youthful wine; best characters, showing good with a dry, lingering finish. drinking 2015+. $21 drinking 2015+. $39.95 (UK) vibrancy and intensity, and a $23 (A) dry, mouth-wateringly crisp finish. $25 (A, UK, US)184 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

absolutelyirresistible...with seafoodHandcrafted in Central Otago,New Zealand – Drumsara DryPinot Gris is so suited to seafoodit’s unfair to keep them apart.Freshly exotic, sumptuous and lively, DrumsaraPinot Gris sings for its supper and delights inthe task.Dancing notes of pear and lime stimulate thesenses while apricot and mango linger andevolve. Drumsara Dry Pinot Gris, a wine sosuited to seafood you have to believe nature hadit planned.Now available in New Zealand, Australia,Singapore and China.Ph +64 27 224 7447 Fax +64 3 441 [email protected] www.drumsara.com

Michael Cooper’s Best of 2014 releases new zealandGlazebrook Invivo Marlborough Mud House Sound of White Waimea NelsonMarlborough Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Marlborough Sauvignon Sauvignon Gris 2013Blanc 2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH Gewurztraminer Blanc 2013 HHHH HHHHFresh, full-bodied wine, Medium-bodied style, with 2013 HHHH Full-bodied, dry wine, Weighty, gently herbaceouswith excellent drinkability. strong, vibrant passionfruit Richly perfumed, spicy with strong, ripe, tropical wine, with excellent depthGenerous, tropical fruit and lime flavours to bouquet. Full-bodied (14.5 fruit flavours, slightly and harmony. Vibrant andflavours to the fore, with the fore, a herbal per cent alc/vol), with a nutty and leesy notes subtle, with youthful melon,gentle herbaceous notes, undercurrent, appetising slightly oily texture and good adding complexity and a lime and spice flavours andfinely balanced acidity and a acidity, good drive through concentration of peachy, dry, finely textured finish. a smooth, finely balanced,well-rounded finish. $20 (A) the palate and a lengthy spicy, slightly gingery Worth cellaring. (Estate- dryish finish. An auspiciousInvivo Marlborough finish. $20 (A, UK) flavours. Fleshy and soft, grown in the Waihopai debut. $30Pinot Gris 2013 HHHH Invivo Organic with drink-young appeal. Top Valley and fermented andMouthfilling, medium-dry Marlborough Sauvignon value. $19 (UK) aged in puncheons and Waimea Nelsonstyle, with a slightly oily Blanc 2013 HHHH foudres.) $27 (A) Viognier 2013 HHHHtexture and good intensity of Mouthfilling and sweet- Passage Rock Gisborne Te Mania Nelson Full-bodied, generous wine,fresh peach, pear and spice fruited, with crisp grapefruit, Chardonnay 2013 HHHH Gewurztraminer with strong, citrusy, peachyflavours. Already drinking lime and spice flavours. Still Soft, full-bodied, ripe and 2013 HHHH flavours, hints of pearswell. $20 (A, UK) youthful, with a touch of rounded, in the classic Perfumed, full-bodied, and lychees, a minerallyInvivo Central Otago complexity (25% per cent regional style. Rich, peachy, slightly sweet style, with streak and a slightly sweet,Pinot Noir 2012 HHHH barrel fermentation) and a citrusy, toasty flavours, with excellent depth of peach, creamy-smooth finish. It’sAlready delicious, this is a tight, dry, lingering finish. slightly buttery notes and pear, lychee and spice enjoyable young; drink nowweighty (14.5 per cent alc/ $20 (A, UK) barrel- ferment complexity. flavours. Strongly varietal, or cellar. $24vol), very sweet-fruited Main Divide Waipara Already delicious. $25 with a hint of apricot, ared, with excellent depth Valley Pinot Noir well-rounded finish and Waipara Hills Equinoxof vibrant plum, strawberry 2011 HHHH Saint Clair Marlborough good harmony. Drink now Waipara Valley Pinotand spice flavours, good Sturdy, fleshy, silky-textured Pinot Gris Rosé 2013 or cellar. $22 (A) Gris 2013 HHHHcomplexity and a well- red, full-coloured and sweet- HHHH Tiki Koro Wanaka Pinot Powerful, fleshy style,rounded finish. $33 (A, UK) fruited, with generous, Inviting, pale pink hue. Noir 2012 HHHH estate-grown, hand- plummy flavours, showing “Serious” but seductive, Deeply coloured, fruit- harvested and barrel- some savoury complexity. vibrantly fruity blend of packed wine, grown at fermented. Weighty and Drinking well now onwards. pinot gris (89 per cent) and Wanaka, in Central Otago. dryish, with deep peach, Fine value. $24.95 (A, UK, US) pinot noir (11 per cent), Big-bodied (14.5 per cent pear, lychee and spice with mouthfilling body alc/vol) and very ripe- flavours, still very youthful.Haha Marlborough Main Divide Waipara and dry strawberry, spice, tasting, with deep plum, Open 2015+. $35Sauvignon Blanc Valley Sauvignon Blanc peach and apricot flavours, spice and cherry flavours2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH showing excellent delicacy, and a well-rounded finish. Waipara HillsFull-bodied and punchy, with Very aromatic, medium to vibrancy and harmony. The A moderately complex, Marlborough Sauvignonripe, sweet-fruit characters full-bodied style, with strong best vintage yet of this concentrated wine, already Blanc 2013 HHHHand fresh, strong melon, melon, capsicum and lime label. $22 (UK) delicious, it’s likely to be at Freshly herbaceous, slightlycapsicum and lime flavours. flavours. Shows a distinctly its best 2015-16. $35 nettley bouquet. GrapefruitFull of youthful impact and cool-climate freshness and Saint Clair Pioneer Waimea Nelson and green capsicum-likegreat value. $16 (A) pungency, with a crisp, dry Block 12 Lone Gewurztraminer flavours, with some riper, finish. $19.95 (A, UK) Gum Marlborough 2013 HHHH tropical fruit notes and a Passage Rock Waiheke Gewurztraminer Enticingly perfumed, with dry, tangy, lingering finish. Island Syrah 2012 HHHH 2013 HHHH mouthfilling body and A slightly “greener” style Deeply coloured, Softly textured, full-bodied concentrated lychee, pear, than past vintages. $22 (A, mouthfilling and smooth, wine, with concentrated, ginger and spice flavours. UK, US) in a strongly varietal style, ripe pear, lychee and spice Youthful, medium-dry with blackcurrant, plum and flavours, a hint of ginger, a style, strongly varietal, with Waipara Hills Waipara black pepper flavours, rich distinct splash of sweetness gentle acidity and good Valley Riesling 2013 and rounded. Drink now or and gentle acidity. Already harmony. $24 (UK) HHHH cellar. $35 delicious. $25 (UK) Waimea Classic Nelson Tangy, youthful, medium Riesling 2013 HHHH to full-bodied wine, with star ratings  Spinyback Nelson Punchy, medium-bodied excellent depth of citrusy, Sauvignon Blanc style, with strong, vibrant peachy, limey flavours.Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of 2013 HHHH lemon, apple and spice Vibrantly fruity and finelyexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Punchy, vibrant, medium flavours, a gentle splash balanced, it’s alreadyAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry to full-bodied wine, with of sweetness and lively enjoyable, but also wellprofessionals and are compared in peer youthful impact. Melon, green acidity. Youthful, with good worth cellaring to 2015+. $22classes by three judges. capsicum and lime flavours, potential. $21CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, with good acid spine and a Woollaston Nelsona major mail-order business. smooth finish. Drinking well Sauvignon BlancCD Cellar door price. now and well-priced. $18 (UK) 2013 HHHHCDO Cellar door only. Fresh and full-bodied,SO Sold out. Waimea Nelson with ripe, tropical fruit$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Sauvignon Blanc flavours and a herbaceous 2013 HHHH undercurrent. Good acid Contact information pg 190. Racy, medium-bodied spine, with a touch of wine, with good intensity of complexity (10 per cent RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). tropical fruit and herbaceous fermentation in old oak) flavours, appetisingly crisp and excellent vigour and vibrant. $21 (UK) and intensity. Certified organic. $23186 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

new zealandClearview Beachhead Mountford LiaisonHawke’s Bay Waipara Valley PinotChardonnay 2013 HHHH Noir 2010 HHHHFull-bodied wine, grown Mouthfilling, generous, single-on the coast at Te Awanga vineyard red, not estate-and barrel-fermented. grown, with full, developedSweet-fruited, with strong, colour. Savoury and complex,vibrant, citrusy, slightly with cherry, plum and spicetoasty flavours, woven with flavours, some herbal notesfresh acidity. in a moderately coming through, and supplecomplex style, enjoyable tannins. Delicious now. $46young but also worth (A, UK, US)cellaring. $27 (A) Obsidian Waiheke IslandFlying Sheep Hawke’s Syrah 2013 HHHHBay Chardonnay Youthful, skilfully crafted wine2013 HHHH with deep, purple-flushedThis single-vineyard wine colour. Mouthfilling, withwas estate-grown inland, strong plum and black pepperat Mangatahi. Fresh and flavours, hints of nutty oakfull-bodied, it is stylish, (20% new) and fine-grainedwith ripe, citrusy, peachy tannins. Intensely varietalflavours, a subtle seasoning wine, still unfolding; openof oak and excellent mid-2015+. $35harmony and richness. Pisa Range Estate Run(From Osawa.) $28 (A) 245 Central Otago PinotMain DivideTehau Noir 2013 HHHHReserve Waipara Valley This stylish, youthful redPinot Noir 2012 HHHH was hand-harvested fromBarrel-aged for 18 months, ‘younger’ vines (averagingthis elegant, savoury red 10 years old) and maturedis already drinking well. in French oak barriques.Mouthfilling, it has an array of Full and bright in colour, it ischerry, plum, spice and nut mouthfilling, sweet-fruitedflavours, ripe, supple tannins and savoury, with livelyand good complexity. (From cherry, plum and spicePegasus Bay.) $33 (A, UK) flavours, good complexity,Mount Riley 17 Valley and a finely textured, lingeringMarlborough Pinot Noir finish. Best drinking mid2013 HHHH 2015+. $32 (A, UK, USA)Ruby hued, fresh and Saint Clair Marlboroughsavoury, with generous red Pinot Noir 2013 HHHHberry, strawberry and spice Already delicious, this isflavours and gentle tannins. one of the best vintagesAlready drinking well, with yet. Grown at sites in thevery good texture and Southern Valleys and partlycomplexity. $37 (A) oak-aged, it is full-colouredMountford Estate and mouthfilling, withWaipara Valley Rosé a strong surge of fresh,2013 HHHH vibrant cherry, plum andPale pink, lively blend of spice flavours, showingtank-fermented pinot noir considerable complexity, and(90%) and barrel-fermented loads of drink-young charm.chardonnay (10%), partly $27 (UK)estate-grown. Mouthfilling, TwoTails Marlboroughwith fresh strawberry, spice Sauvignon Blancand peach flavours, a sliver of 2013 HHHHsweetness, mouth-watering Fleshy, weighty wine,acidity and good intensity. vibrantly fruity, with well-Drink now. $28 (A, UK, US) ripened melon, passionfruit and lime flavours, fresh acidity and a finely balanced, dry finish. $22 (A, UK, US) Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 187

HONG KONGINTERNATIONAL WINE& SPIRITS FAIR NEXT EVENT AUSTRALIAN wineries seeking to tap into attracted more than 20,000 trade buyers the growing Asian market were active at from 75 countries and regions. On the 5-7 the 7th Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Fair. last day of the fair, opened to the public, more than 30,000 wine lovers sampled a NOV Australia In Vines Association CEO great selection of wines. 2015 Eddie Chiu said: “Hong Kong is an international wine trading hub, and the “Ever since the Hong Kong government188 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015 Wine & Spirits Fair has provided a good removed wine duties in 2008, Hong Kong channel for exhibitors to expand into the has become a regional hub for wine Asian market, particularly the Chinese trading and a gateway for wine trading mainland. The Australian exhibitors have to the Chinese mainland,” said HKTDC met a lot of buyers from the Chinese deputy executive director Benjamin mainland at this year’s fair.” Chau. “Both the number of international wine businesses established in Hong Sponsored by Sunshine Creek, the Kong and wine enthusiasts have grown Australian pavilion showcased red, by the day.” white, and sparkling wines from 30 wineries from various parts of the country, He noted that Hong Kong has including 16 from the Yarra Valley. reacted well to resulting new business opportunities, and that the fair is an Winestate Publishing (Australia) also ran a excellent promotion and trading platform display featuring eight Australian premium for wine and spirits companies to extend wine brands including Wines by Geoff their business into the Chinese mainland Hardy, Winestate’s Australian Winery of the and other Asian markets. Year. The Winestate display was proudly sponsored by Brand South Australia. Meanwhile international wine producers continue to see Hong Kong as a The Australian wineries joined more springboard to the region. Sopexa Hong than 1000 exhibitors from 38 countries Kong GM Anita Ma said: “This is the at the Hong Kong Trade Development seventh year of our participation in the Council (HKTDC) sponsored fair, which

fair. This time we have brought together said Jong Kyu Park, representing LOTTE This whisky appreciation trend promptedover 100 companies from 12 major wine- Chilsung Beverage. He said his company local Japanese whisky distributor Wineproducing regions in France to offer a was at the fair to source wines from Spirit Hong Kong to join the fair for the firstgreat variety of red wines, white wines, Chile and Spain, as well as alcohol time this year. Company director Anthonyrosé wines, sparkling wines and beer.” cocktails. Meanwhile, Mike Back, of Choi said consumers have started payingThe Hong Kong wine fair, she added, Singapore’s Equatorial Wines was attention to Japanese whiskies afterprovides an important showcase for looking for boutique wineries at the fair, Yamazaki Whisky claimed the top title atSopexa to promote French wines to the particularly those from Australia, South a recent global whisky competition.Asian market, especially the mainland Africa, and South America.and Hong Kong, because it draws large Resulting media coverage has helpednumbers of Asian buyers. As for spirits, Japanese whiskies continue whisky sales grow 20-30 per cent, said to be in demand. Hong Kong has seen Mr Choi, adding that the nearly 15 per “It is a good place for us to do business, strong recent growth in whisky imports. cent depreciation of the yen this yearto meet with existing business partners During the first nine months of 2014, whisky has lowered import costs. This hasand to look for new customers. Our imports in Hong Kong totaled $66.5 million, allowed him to invest more resourcesexhibitors are happy to see heavy traffic a nearly 40 per cent year-on-year increase. in promotion, leading to the satisfactorythis year and they have received positive Exports rose 14 per cent year on year, sales of Japanese products. Wine Spiritfeedback from buyers,” she said. reaching $58 million. With such impressive Hong Kong showcased three types of growth, the fair introduced the “Whisky and Japanese whiskies at the fair, including Mid-priced wines continue to be popular Brandy Bar” and “Whisky and Spirits Zone” the Umeshu Whisky, Akashi and Twinalps,with Asian buyers. Korean consumers this year to cater to market demand. all of which were well received.prefer mid-priced, high-quality wines, Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 189

contact detailsBEST OF STYLE Macaw Creek Wines Sanguine Estate Capel Vale Roustabout Wines Phone: (08) 8847 2237 Phone: 0417 831 076 Phone: 0428 991 980 Phone: (08) 6102 6268Aldi Stores Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (02) 9675 9382 Web: www.macawcreekwines.com.au Web: www.sanguinewines.com.au Web: www.capelvale.com Web: www.roustaboutwines.com.auWeb: www.aldiliquor.com.au Majella Wines Settlers Ridge Ceravolo Premium Wines Pty Ltd Sileni EstateBlackJack Vineyards Phone: (08) 8736 3055 Phone: (08) 9755 5883 Phone: (08) 8336 4522 Phone: +64 6 879 8768Phone: (03) 5474 2355 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Web: www.majellawines.com.au Web: www.settlersridge.com.au Web: www.ceravolo.com.au Web: www.sileni.co.nzWeb: www.blackjackwines.com.au McLaren Vale III Associates Silkwood Wines Ducketts Mill Wines Stephen John WinesCampbells Wines Phone: (08) 8323 7940 Phone: (08) 9758 7799 Phone: (08) 9840 9844 Phone: (08) 8843 0105Phone: (02) 6033 6000 Web: www.associates.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Web: www.silkwoodwines.com.au Web: www.duckettsmillwines.com.au Web: www.stephenjohnwines.comWeb: www.campbellswines.com.au Millbrook Estate (Est.1996) Email: [email protected] Songlines Estates Eldredge Vineyards Terramore Wines/Cooablah Estate Phone: (08) 8563 0555 Phone: (08) 8842 3086 Phone: 0427 809 518Capel Vale Mission Estate Winery Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected]: 0428 991 980 Phone: +64 6 845 9350 Web: www.songlinesestates.com.au Web: www.eldredge.com.au Web: www.terramorewines.com.auEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.capelvale.com Streicker Wines Flint’s Of Coonawarra Trentham Estate Mistletoe Wines Phone: (08) 9755 6225 Phone: (08) 8736 5Phone: 046 Phone: (03) 5024 8888Centennial Vineyards Phone: (02) 4998 7770 Email: sharonbatley@clairaultstreicker. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (02) 4861 8700 Email: [email protected] com.au Web: www.flintsofcoonawarra.com.au com.auEmail: [email protected] Web: www.mistletoe.com.au Web: www.streickerwines.com.au Web: www.trenthamestate.com.auWeb: www.centennial.net.au Fox Gordon Mollydooker Talbots Block Phone: (08) 8377 7707 Vok BeveragesChampagne Drappier Phone: (08) 8323 6500 Phone: 0403517401 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8182 1841Phone: +33 (0)3 25 27 40 15 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.foxgordon.com.au Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Web: www.mollydookerwines.com.au Web: www.talbotsblock.com.au Web: www.vok.com.auWeb: www.champagne-drappier.com Gibbston Highgate Estate Morambro Creek Wines/Jip Jip Rocks/ The Colonial Wine Company Phone: +64 3 477 0300 Yarrawood EstateClairault Wines Mt Monster Phone: (08) 8524 5030 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9730 2003Phone: (08) 9755 6655 Phone: (08) 8723 1065 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gibbstonhighgate.co.nz Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.colonialwinecompany.com.au Web: www.yarrawood.com.auWeb: www.clairaultwines.com Web: www.morambrocreek.com.au Harrington Glen Estate Web: www.mtmonster.com.au The Wine Society Phone: (07) 4683 4388 BEST OF SOUTH AUSTRALIADeep Woods Estate Web: www.jipjiprocks.com.au Phone: (02) 9431 4061 Email: [email protected]: (08) 9756 6066 Email: [email protected] Web: www.harringtonglenwines.com.auEmail: [email protected] Mt DifficultyWeb: www.deepwoods.com.au Phone: +64 3 445 3445 Totino Nominees (Totino Estate) Hastwell & Lightfoot 919 Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8349 1200 Phone: (08) 8323 8692 Phone: 0417 997 414Gartelmann Wines Web: www.mtdifficulty.co.nz Email: martinam@festivalcitywines. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (02) 4930 7113 com.au Web: www.hastwellandlightfoot.com.au Web: www.919wines.com.auEmail: [email protected] Murdoch James Estate Wines Ltd Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.auWeb: www.gartelmann.com.au Phone: +64 6 306 9165 Hollick Wines Pty Ltd Adelaide Winemakers Email: [email protected] Trentham Estate Phone: (08) 8737 2318 Phone: 0419 383 907Gralyn Estate Web: www.murdoch-james.co.nz Phone: (03) 5Phone: (02)4 8888 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (08) 9755 6245 Email: marketing@trenthamestate. Web: www.hollick.com com.auEmail: [email protected] Oakdene Vineyards com.auWeb: www.gralyn.com.au Phone: (03) 5256 3886 Web: www.trenthamestate.com.au Lloyd Brothers Wine & Olive Co Pty Ltd Ambush Hill Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8323 8792 Phone: 0413462848Grampians Estate Web: www.oakdene.com.au BEST OF NEW RELEASES Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (03) 5354 6245 Web: www.lloydbrothers.com.auEmail: [email protected] Paringa Estate 919 Wines Anvers WinesWeb: www.grampiansestate.com.au Phone: (03) 5989 2669 Phone: 0417 997 414 Matahiwi Estate Phone: (08) 8323 9603 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 6 370 1000 Email: [email protected] Wines Web: www.paringaestate.com.au Web: www.919wines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.anvers.com.auPhone: 0419 624 559 Web: www.matahiwi.co.nzEmail: [email protected] Patrick of Coonawarra Aldi Stores Atze’s Corner WinesWeb: www.gumpara.blogspot.com Phone: (08) 8737 3687 Phone: (02) 9675 9382 McLaren Vale III Associates Phone: 04Phone: (07) 621 989 Email: [email protected] Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Phone: (08) 8323 7940 Email: [email protected] Glen Estate Web: www.patrickofcoonawarra.com Web: www.associates.com.auPhone: (07) 4683 4388 Alepat Taylor Brothers In ArmsEmail: [email protected] Paxton Wines Pty Ltd Phone: (03) 9487 2599 Mollydooker Phone: (08) 8537 3182Web: www.harringtonglenwines.com.au Phone: (08) 8323 8645 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8323 6500 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.alepat.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.brothersinarms.com.auHawkshead Vineyard Web: www.paxtonvineyards.com Web: www.mollydookerwines.com.auPhone: +64 3 409 Phone: (02)10 Ashwood Estate (NZ) Cirami EstateEmail: [email protected] Pernod Ricard Australia Phone: (06) 863 0895 Molly’s Cradle Wines Phone: (08) 85835366Web: www.hawksheadwine.com Phone: (02) 8874 8354 Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 9979 1471 Email: [email protected] Email: Katherine.Candy@pernod-ricard. Email: [email protected] Web: www.rvic.org.auHemera Estate com Barristers Block/Celad’or Estate VineyardsPhone: (08) 8524 4033 Phone: +61 8 8389 7706 Mt Difficulty Cleggett WinesEmail: [email protected] R Brands (Long Lunch Wines P/L) Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 445 3445 Phone: (08) 8537 3133Web: www.hemeraestate.com.au Phone: 0432 510 799 Web: www.barristersblock.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.mtdifficulty.co.nz Web: www.cleggettwines.com.auJackson Estate Saint Clair Family Vineyards Brick Kiln/Nine Gums VineyardPhone: +64 3 572 9500 Phone: +64 3 578 8695 Phone: (08) 8357 2561 Quarisa Wines Glendon Vineyards - Landaire WinesEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 6963 6222 Phone: 0417408147Web: www.jacksonestate.co.nz Web: www.saintclair.co.nz Web: www.bricklin.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.quarisa.com.au Web: www.landaire.com.au190 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

contact detailsHemera Estate Yarra Vale BEST OF QUEENSLAND Jackson Estate Kirrihill Wines Pty LtdPhone: (08) 8524 4033 Phone: (03) 9735 1819 Phone: +64 3 572 9500 Phone: (08) 8842 1233Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Clovely Estate Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.hemeraestate.com.au Web: www.yarravalewines.com.au Phone: (07) 3876 3100 Web: www.jacksonestate.co.nz Web: www.kirrihillwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Estate (Stentiford Pty Ltd) BEST OF NEW SOUTH WALES Web: www.clovely.com.au O TU & Co Limited Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/ RichardPhone: 0418 8541Phone: (02) Phone: +64 3 379 6808 HamiltonEmail: [email protected] Ernest Hill BEST OF TASMANIA [email protected] Phone: (08) 8323 8830 Phone: (02) 4991 4418 Web: www.otuwine.com Email: [email protected] Wines Email: [email protected] Cape Bernier Vineyard Web: www.leconfieldwines.comPhone: (08) 8736 3055 Web: www.ernesthillwines.com.au Phone: (03) 6253 5443 Pask WineryEmail: [email protected] [email protected] Phone: +64 6 879 7906 Mission Estate WineryWeb: www.majellawines.com.au Gartelmann Wines Web: www.capebernier.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 6 845 9350 Phone: (02) 4930 7113 Web: www.cjpaskwinery.co.nz [email protected] Vale III Associates Email: [email protected] Spring Vale VineyardsPhone: (08) 8323 7940 Web: www.gartelmann.com.au Phone: (03) 6257 8208 Saint Clair Family Vineyards Morton Estate/The Wine PortfolioWeb: www.associates.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 578 8695 Phone: +64 7 552 0795 James Estate Web: www.springvalewines.com [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (02) 6547 5168 Web: www.saintclair.co.nz Web: www.mortonestatewines.co.nzPhone: (08) 8323 6500 Email: [email protected] BEST OF NEW ZEALANDEmail: [email protected] Web: www.jamesestatewines.com.au Sileni Estate Pask WineryWeb: www.mollydookerwines.com.au Carrick Phone: +64 6 879 8768 Phone: +64 6 879 7906 Robert Stein Phone: +64 3 445 3480 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]’s Cradle Wines Phone: (02) 6373 3991 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sileni.co.nz Web: www.cjpaskwinery.co.nzPhone: (02) 9979 1471 Email: [email protected] Web: www.carrick.co.nzEmail: [email protected] Web: www.robertstein.com.au Spy Valley Wines Paulmara Estates Elephant Hill Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Phone: 0417 895 138Morambro Creek Wines/Jip Jip Rocks/ Topper’s Mountain Wines Phone: +64 6 873 Phone: 0400 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Monster Phone: 0411 880 580 Email: [email protected] Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Web: www.paulmara.com.auPhone: (08) 8723 1065 Email: [email protected] Web: www.elephanthill.co.nzEmail: [email protected] Web: www.toppers.com.au Whitehaven Wine Co Ltd Paxton Wines Pty LtdWeb: www.morambrocreek.com.au Giesen Wines New Zealand Phone: +64 3 572 7588 Phone: (08) 8323 8645Web: www.mtmonster.com.au Twisted River Phone: +64 Phone: (03) 344 6270 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.jipjiprocks.com.au Phone: (02) 6364 5447 Email: [email protected] Web: www.whiehaven.co.nz Web: www.paxtonvineyards.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.giesen.co.nzNorfolk Rise Vineyard Web: www.twistedriverwines.com.au Zephyr Peter Lehmann Wines LimitedPhone: (08) 8768 5080 Mt Aspiring Wines Ltd Phone: +64 3 5786200 Phone: (08) 8565 9555Email: [email protected] Two Rivers (Hunter Valley NSW) Phone: +64 4 233 8978 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.norfolkrise.com.au Phone: (02) 6547 2556 Email: [email protected] Web: www.zephyrwine.com com Email: [email protected] Web: www.36bottles.co.nz Web: www.peterlehmannwines.comParous Wines Australia Web: www.tworiverswines.com.au BEST BUYSPhone: 0437 159 858 Scion Vineyard and WineryEmail: [email protected] BEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Pask Winery Caudo Vineyards - Nashly Pty Ltd Phone: (02) 6032 8844Web: www.parous.com.au Phone: +64 6 879 7906 Phone: 0427351911 Email: [email protected] Brygon Reserve Wines Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.scionvineyard.comQuarisa Wines Phone: 0419 865 556 Web: www.cjpaskwinery.co.nz Web: www.caudovineyard.com.auPhone: (02) 6963 6222 Email: dean@brygonreservewines. Shanahans WinesEmail: [email protected] com.au Rockburn Wines Ltd Coonawarra Jack Winery Pty Ltd Phone: (08) 8563 0555Web: www.quarisa.com.au Web: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Phone: +64 3 445 0555 Phone: (08) 8736 3130 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.shanahanwines.com.auRedman Wines Clairault Wines Web: www.rockburn.co.nz Web: www.jackestate.comPhone: (08) 8736 3331 Phone: (08) 9755 6655 Sileni EstateEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sileni Estate Elephant Hill Phone: +64 6 879 8768Web: www.redman.com.au Web: www.clairaultwines.com Phone: +64 6 879 8768 Phone: +64 6 873 Phone: 0400 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.sileni.co.nzScarpantoni Estate Wines Deep Woods Estate Web: www.sileni.co.nz Web: www.elephanthill.co.nzPhone: (08) 8383 0186 Phone: (08) 9756 6066 Spring Mountain WinesEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] BEST OF MICHAEL COOPER Fox Creek Wines Phone: 0408801795Web: www.scarpantoni-wines.com.au Web: www.deepwoods.com.au Phone: (08) 8557 0000 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Millbrook Estate (Est.1996) Black Barn Vineyards Web: www.foxcreekwines.com Talisman WinesPhone: (08) 8323 7388 Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 6 877 7985 Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Gibbston Highgate Estate Web: www.talismanwines.com.auWeb: www.shingleback.com.au Singlefile Wines Web: www.blackbarn.com Phone: +64 3 477 0300 Phone: 0410 321 321 Email: [email protected] Trentham EstateSkillogalee Winery Email: [email protected] Elephant Hill Web: www.gibbstonhighgate.co.nz Phone: (03) 5024 8888Phone: (08) 8843 4113 Web: www.singlefilewines.com Phone: +64 6 873 Phone: 0400 Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Invivo Wines com.auWeb: www.skillogalee.com.au Umamu Estate Web: www.elephanthill.co.nz Phone: +64 21 852 068 Web: www.trenthamestate.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] OF VICTORIA Fern Ridge / Haha Web: www.invivowines.com Wines by Geoff Hardy Yilgarnia Wines Phone: +64 6 834 3888 Phone: (08) 8388 3700Dal Zotto Phone: (08) 9845 3031 Email: [email protected] James Estate Email: [email protected]: (03) 5729 8321 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fernridge.co.nz Phone: (02) 6547 5168 com.auEmail: [email protected] Web: www.yilgarnia.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.Web: www.dalzotto.com.au Web: www.jamesestatewines.com.au com.auMerindoc Vintners Pty Ltd Yilgarnia WinesPhone: (03) 5433 5188 Phone: (08) 9845 3031Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.merindoc.com.au Web: www.yilgarnia.com.au Annual 2015 W I N E S TAT E 191

Registrations open for MARCH 22-25 This professional wine buyers event will be held in the northern Italian city of Verona in March 2015 and attracts major buyers from all the world's largest customer bases including India, Brazil, Russia, Europe and North America. Vinitaly hosts displays from every major wine producing country in the world. The \"romance of Italy\" attracts buyers - they come to buy wines from around the world, including Australia. Winestate has attended every year since 2008 – it IS the world’s number one wine expo. In a rapidly changing world marketplace wineries need to remember not to focus all effort into one market e.g. China. It should be remembered the UK and Europe (particularly Scandinavia and Eastern EU) is a huge wine marketplace. The situation with wines in the China market could change in an instant! Remember what happened in the US market in 2008-09? Winestate is attending Vinitaly and will represent 10 South Australian wine companies. These companies are not required to provide sales staff but are welcome and encouraged to do so. Winestate will represent your wines to an international buying group at a lower cost than establishing and running your own site. Your wines will be professionally presented in a South Australian Wine Master class and on show for the entire week at a fully equipped South Australian display192 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

POINTS OF DIFFERENCE CONTACT Peter JacksonWhy should my wine be on show at Vinitaly and International Wine Marketingnot other large EU wine events? & Promotions Director www.vinitaly.comThe South Australian display is the ONLY 2015 - Official Australian ExhibitionAustralian display out of 4500 sites – this means and Masterclass ProgramEVERY buyer who attends and is interested in Phone 08 8357 9277Australian wines will see your wine. Fax 08 8357 9212 Email [email protected] are limited to 10 SOUTH AUSTRALIANproducers – to secure one of the spots pleasecomplete the application and return.Winestate can represent your brand if you can’tattend.Every producer who participates will have aFREE Half page display advertisement valuedat $4900 in all issues of Winestate (AU, Airlinesand International) in March/April 2015. SAWIAmembers will have their free advertisementupgraded to a FULL PAGE valued at $8900.And all participants will be referred to Monopolybuyers from Europe prior to the event.

Organics is the fastest growing sector of thefood industry, and wine is no exception...OrganicPracticalEthicalResponsibleSustainable Australia’s first organic certifier Proud sponsor of the Australian Organic Wine of the Year www.nasaa.com.au

aftertasteELISABETH KINGPRESTIGE AND POP - POMMERY OWNS CHAMPAGNE COOLIT’S been 12 years since Paul-Francois Vranken, several memorable marketing events. To celebrate by maintaining qualitythe Belgian-born son of a horse dealer who started the 175th anniversary of the house in 2011, the positioning of its brands.his career with British brewer Bass, bought the Champagne Cube by Pommery captured Sydney- The Sydney dinnerPommery Champagne house from LVMH, the siders attention for two frenetic days. A pop-up store followed theworld’s largest luxury goods group. The $260 million on the third level of the upmarket Westfield CBD c o m p a n y ’sdeal lifted the new company - Vranken-Pommery complex, the blue and white bar was surrounded by core strategyMonopole - to the status of France’s second-biggest the boutiques of some of the biggest names in fashion, of focusingchampagne producer. A stunning achievement for including Prada and Gucci. The main offering was a on premiuman entrepreneur who entered the business with only flute of Pommery and a freshly-made macaroon for champagnes.$30,000 to his name. $15, and there were plenty of takers. Which brings us to the Pommery innovation that was anything but The Pommery buy-out not only included a sumptuous Lusted’s anniversary dinner climbed to much traditional - the hugely successful POP, an acronym ofchateau HQ in Reims, 40ha of vineyards and about greater heights. The four-course menu kicked off Product of Pommery.20 million bottles, it also brought together two with Queensland mud crab, whipped prawn bisque,consummate marketing companies. From a lowly parsley root and puffed rice, accompanied by You could argue that champagne has always hadstart-up with only 10,000 bottles in 1976, Vranken’s Pommery Summertime Blanc de Blancs, an extra-dry a frivolous side. During the 18th century, aristocratsformidable business nous has propelled him to the blanc de blancs in Gasco’s innovative “seasonal” sipped it from the party shoes of high-class courtesans.top of the champagne industry, acquiring other major champagne line-up. The house style remains intact, But eyebrows were raised when Pommery launchedlabels such as Heidsieck-Monopole and Lafite along thanks to Gasco, who was trained by Prince Alain POP, a less alcoholic, slightly weaker version of itsthe way. It’s a modern success story that would have de Polignac, the legendary winemaker and direct trademark NV in 1999. Housed in hand-sized, cobaltwarmed the heart of Madame Pommery, the 39-year- descendant of Madame Pommery. The Pommery blue bottles and meant to be sipped through a plasticold widow who took over her husband’s self-titled Grand Cru 2005 that “washed down” the John Dory straw, the prime target was the fun-loving 21-to 35-year-champagne business in 1858. A tough-edged mother cooked in butter, artichoke custard, potato crisp and old crowd. Prince Alain de Poignac needed all hisof two, as they say in the tabloids, whose extraordinary celery salt was polished perfection with the hint of steel famous aplomb and style to issue such statementstalents in trend-spotting, tracking consumer tastes and Pommery is renowned for. as: “Our challenge is to convince this generationinvesting in public relations and marketing were more that champagne is socially up-to-date, somethingthan a century ahead of their time. Within 30 years, Over the years I have been stunned by the style and for them”.Madame Pommery had built the house into one of the intensity of Cuvee Louise, Pommery’s iconic cuveemost respected in the world. More importantly, she de prestige. During a visit to Pommery’s formidable It took a while but POP caught on with rappersweaned drinkers off the sweet bubblies of the day by chateau base and ancient Gallo-Roman chalk pits 10 and fashionistas. So much so that other champagnecreating the first brut champagne in the history of the years ago, I was given a taste of the Cuvee Louise 1990 houses followed suit and Pommery started producingregion - Pommery Brut Nature - in 1874. which was truly sublime. The Cuvee Louise 2002 we 750ml bottles. The house launched POP Earth, the first enjoyed with Lusted’s main dish of guineafowl, burnt environmentally responsible champagne. The bottles Today, Pommery is sold in 116 countries and is one pear puree, mountain ash and dried mushrooms also were made with lighter glass and the labels wereof the Big Five global houses. To celebrate the 140th deserved a stratospheric rating. Unfortunately, Cuvee printed on recyclable paper in water-soluble ink. Theanniversary of Brut, Vranken-Pommery Australia Louise Rose wasn’t on offer but the Pommery Brut Rose grapes? Sustainably grown, of course.held a spectacular dinner in Sydney’s Museum NV proved a great foil for the dessert of perfumed fruit,of Contemporary Art in October and released a white nectarines, lychee, mulberries and mulberry From Australia to California, wine companies arelimited edition “tower” version of their flagship brut powder. Rosé - the non-sparkling kind - has become reducing packaging, pesticides, water use andNV for $75. Thierry Gasco, the ninth winemaker in a prime target for Vranken-Pommery Monopole, who transportation to cut carbon emissions. Vranken-Pommery’s history, flew to Australia to preside over a signed a partnership deal with Castel in November Pommery Monopole was ahead of the pack inmenu crafted by Ross Lusted of the two-hatted CBD 2013. The new company was dubbed Listel SA and champagne by adopting lighter bottles as early asrestaurant, The Bridge Room. Mentored by superstar has a clear aim – “to be at the forefront of the global 2003. According to Thierry Gasco: “We shaped thechefs David Thompson and Neil Perry, the South rosé sector” - with a firm focus on developing markets shoulders to make the bottles lighter, so our carbonAfrican-born maestro also clinched the title of Citi Chef such as China, Russia and Africa. A smart strategy footprint will be reduced to keep champagne here forof the Year 2014. Gasco pointed out that the spirit of according to Vinexpo forecasts, which predict that the future generations”. Madame Pommery would haveMadame Pommery helps to keep him creative and the worldwide consumption of rosé will rise 7.6 per cent by been very proud not only of the eco-friendly innovationsupernatural help obviously inspired Lusted as well. 2016 to account for 9 per cent of total global wine sales. but the level of investment in “going green”. Vranken- Pommery Monopole has spent between $730,000 Vranken-Pommery set up its own sales and marketing Discounting is as prevalent in France as it is in and $1.5 million each year since 1994 on improvedbusiness in Australia in 2010. Based in Melbourne, Australia but Vranken-Pommery Monopole has environmental practices and eco-based R&D. Nowmanaging director Inge Fransen has spearheaded maintained its market leadership in the French market that’s something to drink to.next issue: Make the most of the remaining sunny weather with tastings of rosé, chardonnay & blends and Italian & Spanish varietals. Or travel around the countryside with Barossa & Eden Valley, Central & Western Victoria and Marlborough (NZ).194 W I N E S TAT E Annual 2015

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