New Zealand
GOLD
Sparkling rosé 95 No1 Family Estate, Rosé, Marlborough NV (13%)
£29.50 Amathus Drinks
$40.50 NZ Wine Navigator Intriguing aromas of strawberry, blossom, toast and hints of savoury and earthy notes. Lovely weight and texture, bright acidity, saline finish.
GOLD White 96 Dunnolly, Pinot Gris, Canterbury 2021 (13.1%)
$19.99 Naked Wines
Mineral and white-fleshed fruit bouquet, aromas of crunchy green pear and apple, quince and a floral quality. Crisp and fruity, refreshing, precise and elegant.
95 Craggy Range, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021 (13%)
£15.99-£18.50 Harvey Nichols, NZ House of Wine, Specialist Cellars, Waitrose Cellar
Super-classic bouquet with a pungent, fresh character of apple and grapefruit. Fleshy, well-textured, succulent fruit and vibrant acidity. Delicious.
95 Esk Valley, Seabed Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay 2019 (13%)
£24.40 Christopher Keiller,
Hatch Mansfield
White smoke and sweet barrel spices with a fine gunflint scent and cedar notes. Mineral, with plenty of grapefruit. Delicious and powerful.
95 Grove Mill, Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2021 (13%)
£9.50-£9.95 Co-op, The Wine Society Attractive, clean, lifted and generous nose of fresh-cut grass, asparagus, gooseberry and peaches. Slightly sweet, vibrant harmonious acidity.
95 Palliser Estate, Chardonnay, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2020 (13.5%)
£17.95 Justerini & Brooks Restrained nose of ripe peach, a creamy edge and smoky undertones. Quite rich, with full-bodied, expansive ripe fruit.
95 Rapaura Springs, Rohe Blind River Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021 (13.5%)
£16.95-£19 Harvey Nichols, Laithwaites, ND John, Oddbins Classic bouquet; peach, citrus, fresh herbs, vibrant capsicum, tomato leaf. Lovely texture, zingy, refreshing, lively acidity.
95 Vavasour, Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2021 (13.5%)
Purity of fruit, a core of plush, ripe fruit, citrus, apple and light tropical fruit, savoury oceanside nuances. Mineral and crunchy.
95 Villa Maria, Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021 (13.5%)
£18.70 Fountainhall, Majestic, Vinvm Expressive aromas of rich and ripe citrus fruit, baked peaches and apricot. Gentle oak, with a pleasant, lingering finish.
GOLD Red 96 Craggy Range, Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2019 (13%)
£27.99 Harvey Nichols, NZ House of Wine, Specialist Cellars, Waitrose Complex and focused nose displaying scents of black plums, wild strawberry and seductive mineral notes. Silky, with dense plummy fruit.
96 McArthur Ridge, Alexandra Series Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2020 (13.7%)
Bursting with bright, pure red and black fruit framed by spicy vanilla. Succulent, expansive plum and raspberry with lovely ripe, supportive tannins.
96 Nanny Goat Vineyard, Queensberry Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2020 (13.5%)
£29.99 All About Wine, Kwoff
A bouquet of dark cherry, plum and wild thyme aromas, with additional forest flowers and dried herbs. Firm backbone of tannins and acidity.
96 Nanny Goat Vineyard, Super Nanny Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2020 (14%)
Luscious, ripe fruit and an enticing bouquet of dark cherry, baked raspberry, thyme, nutmeg and vanilla. Juicy and mouthwatering, it has ripe and polished tannins and shows a youthful charm.
96 Valli, Bendigo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2020 (14%)
POA £ New Generation
Lovely seamless and pure aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and blueberry fruit, then an opulent palate with nicely integrated, ripe and rounded tannins. Plush and luxurious.
96 Villa Maria, Reserve Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay 2020 (13.5%)
Seamless, elegant, seductive aromas of blackberry, dark plum and bramble. Beautiful vein of acidity, ripe yet rounded fruit tannins, well-judged oak.
95 Left Field, Malbec, Hawke’s Bay 2020 (14%)
£17.45 Hatch Mansfield
Dark, brooding black plum, damson and blueberry aromas with lovely violets and rose petals. Expressive, with rounded fruit, crunchy and silky.
95 Martinborough Vineyard, Home Block Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2019 (14%)
Evolving savoury aromas with a lift of red plum and raspberry, seasoned by dark roses and lifted spice. Delicious, ripe, with vibrant, succulent red fruits.
95 McArthur Ridge, Brassknocker Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2021 (13.5%)
Pretty and fresh bouquet, with a core of light red berry fruit, and a fine savoury layer adding depth and charm. Lovely mouthfeel, delicious and long.
95 Nautilus, Clay Hills Vineyard Block 3 WB Pinot Noir, Omaka, Marlborough 2019 (12.5%)
Lovely depth of ripe red berry fruit with complex spice, old flowers and leafy undertones. Multi-layered complexity with gentle fruit extraction.
95 Paddy Borthwick, Paper Road Pinot Noir, Wairarapa 2021 (13.5%)
Savoury and mineral nose, rich berry, dark cherry and spiced plum. Firm, structured tannins, well textured with a very persistent, toasty finish.
95 Peregrine, Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2018 (13.5%)
A lovely savoury lift on the nose, lacing aromas of red cherry, dried cranberry and hints of toast and cloves. Firm and dry, very complex.
95 Peregrine, Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2017 (13.5%)
Concentrated aromas of dried strawberries, with notes of black cherry, vanilla and gamey scents. On the palate, finegrained, mouthcoating tannins, supported by juicy, firm acidity.
95 Trinity Hill, Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay 2020 (13%)
£22-£26.99 Booths, Fine Wines of Mayfield, Oz Wines, Shelved Wine, Vinvm
Delicate and elegant smoky black fruit with delicious notes of dark cherry, baked plums and layers of oak spice, smoke and leather. Youthful and quite powerful. Excellent.
95 Villa Maria, Reserve Cabernet SauvignonMerlot, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay 2019 (13.5%)
£19.99 Majestic
Gentle, elegant black fruit, supple cassis, blackberry and touches of gunflint. Delicious, fresh, youthful and dry, with firm yet polished tannins.
95 Villa Maria, Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2019 (13%)
£33.15 Cheers, Just in Cases,
The Wine Reserve
Red cherry, strawberry and redcurrant aromas with floral notes of dried roses. Tannins silky and well mannered. Lingering toasty finish.
95 Wooing Tree, Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2019 (13.5%)
£33-£36 Banstead Vintners, D Byrne & Co, Frontier Fine Wines, Mr & Mrs Fine Wine, The Drink Shop, The Village Vine
Classic and intriguing nose displaying dark cherries and plums, seasoned with savoury spices and smoky oak. Pure and vibrant on the palate.
GOLD
Sweet white 95 Seifried, Winemakers Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling, Nelson 2021 (10.5%)
Subtle nectarine and lime rind aromas, along with notes of apples and apricots. Honeyed on the palate, with a fantastic acid line and mouthwatering finish. Delicious.