Wine Advocate (92)

The 2015 Estate Chardonnay is more open-knit and less taut than the single vineyard wines, with an expressive nose of ripe nectarines, pink grapefruit and guava, plus underlying notes of baking bread and ginger. Medium-bodied, it offers richness and good depth in the mouth with a an approachable, refreshing backbone and great harmony.

The Real Review (91)

Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.

The Real Review (91)

Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.

Matthew Jukes (18.5+)

The winemaking regime is identical to the preceding wines – hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented in 100% oak, and it spends 11 months in barrel (25% new) after malo. This time, a piercingly fresh bouquet is driven along briskly by a strident citrus theme. Super-tasty, really long and with an amazing volume of flavour, this is my favourite of the ‘Premier Cru’ wines. Grab some now, for fear of missing out. You can drink it today without the wine police visiting you, but it will sing in a couple of years and hold easily for a decade!

The Real Review (94)

Fragrant, aromatic chardonnay with slightly green tree fruit flavours, citrus/lime and a backbone of nicely integrated and pleasantly vibrant acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish. A smattering of nutty yeast lees adds extra interest.

Vinous (94)

The 2014 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-soaked citrus fruit, flint and white flowers, subtle but extremely focused. The well-balanced palate offers a fine bead of acidity, discreet touches of apricot and ginger and superb depth toward the finish. A spicy residue lingers long after the wine has departed. This is yet another brilliant release from Kumeu. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2015 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracking example of this vineyard/vintage, starting with a youthfully reticent nose of lemon curd, grapefruit juice and peach blossoms with hints of crushed stones, lime leaves and brioche. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with an electric backbone of freshness supporting the intense citrus and mineral flavors, finishing with great length. It needs another 3-4 years in bottle to really get into its groove.

Vinous (97)

The Chardonnay Mate's Vineyard, appears to have gone on a yoga retreat in 2020: not only is its usual powerful self, but it's remarkably zen too, exuding a sense of calmness. It is full-bodied, round and offers fruit ripeness, but the propensity of the Mendoza clone to hen-and-chicks means that it retains a sense of nerve, with powerful citrusy acidity providing the needle that pulls a tight thread through this wine's core. The 2020 is still far too young, and it is aromatically shy, but even in its full mature glory, it won't exhibit aromatic fireworks – nor should it. This is Chardonnay. Okay, you might detect lemon and limes, white flowers and just-ripe white nectarine, with 30% new oak imbuing an additional layer of savoriness, but when it comes down to it, this wine's trump card is in its shape, texture and persistence.

The Real Review (94)

Tangy, refreshing wine with white peach, apple, lime/citrus, ginger/yeast lees and subtle spicy oak flavours with a thread of oyster shell/saline characters. Stylish wine from a favourable vintage.

The Real Review (94)

Bright, fresh, elegant wine with oyster shell, grapefruit/citrus, green apple and spicy oak flavours with a vibrant backbone of mouth-watering acidity and peppery phenolics. High energy wine that is drinking well upon release.

Wine Advocate (92)

Pale ruby colored, the 2012 Pinot noir has beautiful aromas of kirsch, red currant jelly and warm cranberries with hints of potpourri, lavender and cinnamon. Medium-bodied, it displays great elegance and intensity with a slight herbal / stemmy edge to the long finish.

Wine Advocate (93)

Earthy and savory on the nose, Kusuda's 2016 Pinot Noir reveals scents of beetroot and sous-bois alongside hints of cherries and cranberries. On the palate, it shows the seamless combination of intensity and weightlessness that is the hallmark of Kusuda's wines, with supple tannins that seem to almost disappear on the lingering finish. Delicate, perfumed and stylish, it's already delicious and should only improve for the next 5-6 years.

Wine Advocate (89+)

Deep garnet-purple in color and replete with aromas of ripe mulberries, black currants and black cherries with suggestions of black pepper, bacon, tree bark and star anise, the medium-bodied 2010 Syrah offers just enough black fruit, savory and spicy flavors in the mouth and is supported by a low to medium level of rounded tannins, perky acid and a finish with good length. Drink it now to 2018+.

James Suckling (97)

This marries violets, blueberries and darker cherries in a very pure and composed style with gentle bracken and sappy allure. The palate has a succulent, juicy and very fresh feel with neatly carved, fine tannin that holds long, direct and deep. Such regal depth and savory tannin resolve. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Decanter (96)

Delicate, pure and enticing bouquet of citrus blossoms, apple, minerals, autolysis notes and gentle wood spice suggestions. Equally layered and long on the palate, where the flavours mirror the nose and develop more complexity as the wine relaxes in the glass. Pure fruited with indulgent textures and flavours.

Heralding from the esteemed vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand, the Nautilus The Paper Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is considered an exemplar of innovative, artisanal wine production. This distinguished wine is the creation of Nautilus Estate, a single-estate winery renowned for its commitment to crafting expressive, textural wines.

The unprecedented blend that forms Nautilus The Paper Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is achieved through meticulous winemaking techniques, including gentle pressings and fermentation in paper tanks, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods. The grape variety is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, which reflects the winery's unswerving faith in the potential of this varietal.

Upon savouring, the Nautilus The Paper Sauvignon Blanc 2020 presents a vibrant, concentrated palate of lime and passionfruit notes, underlined by a mineral intensity that is the hallmark of Marlborough's terroir. This is a wine that unites traditional craftsmanship with environmental stewardship, resulting in an unparalleled tasting experience for the discerning connoisseur.

Decanter (96)

A complex bouquet of toasty white-fleshed fruits, some hints of botrytis and kerosene. There's still a honeysuckle, apple and peach quality which is integrated into the body of the wine. Synergies from bottle development frames the bouquet with an exotic spice, seductive perfume and fruits, and there's an umami quality from bottle age that works so well. The acidity alone will keep this going for several years yet. An exemplar of an aged wine that showcases both producer and variety, as well as the potential for Riesling to age and develop.

James Suckling (94)

Lots of flint and stone aromas with lemons and green apples. Medium-bodied with a tight and linear palate and a long, flavorful finish. Very intense. Drink now. Screw cap.

Wine Advocate (96)

In vintages with ample botrytis, an Encore Riesling is produced. I'd put the 2016 Encore Riesling up against many German beerenauslesen. It's wonderfully sweet and rich (210 grams per liter residual sugar), with pristine apricot and marmalade notes balanced by bright acids. If you want to quibble, it might be too clean and precise, but the balance is superb and the finish lasts into next week. Wow!

James Suckling (97)

A perfumed nose of cherries, raspberries, dark chocolate, earth, orange rind, violets and sweet spices. Full body with lively acidity. Rather chewy tannins. Bright and crunchy with a fleshy texture. Balanced and layered with a long, precise finish. Better after 2023. Screw cap

James Suckling (96)

Lots of ripe strawberries with some citrus and cream. Some meat, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round, ripe tannins and a delicious, juicy finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Raymond Chan (19)

Deep ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The bouquet shows good energy and vibrancy, with penetrating aromas of dark cherries, tamarillo and cranberries entwined with smoky earth, mushroom and thyme, and an amalgam of spice with a cinnamon core. Medium-bodied, violet interlaced with dark cherries, cranberries and tamarillo formed an elegant core, unfolding thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, mushroom and savoury, smoky elements. The wine has a complex range of flavours, bound by integrated acidity and lingers with precision. Fine-grained tannin extraction left a powdery, opulent mouthfeel and structure. This refined yet powerful Pinot Noir shows a range of ripe fruit, spice and floral details structured by fine-grained tannins for years to come. Match with wild boar and lamb racks over the next 10+ years. Only produced in exceptional years, best barrel selections from oldest ungrated vines in the vineyard. Fermented with 40% whole bunches approx, the rest destemmed, cold soaked for a week and fermented naturally to 13% alc, post ferment maceration for up to a week, aged in French oak barriques for 14 months, 40% new oak.

Wine Advocate (96+)

The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

The Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 is a captivating embodiment of the Marlborough region's distinct character. Produced by Baroness Ariane de Rothschild's Rimapere estate, exceptional care is taken with the sustainable viticulture and hand harvesting practices. The maritime climate, abundant sunlight, and stony soil of Marlborough imbue the wine with its applauded zesty citrus and tropical fruit notes, underlaid subtly with complex minerality.

This vintage has been vinified in stainless steel vessels to maintain its purity and vivacious character. The slow, cool fermentation process accentuates the aromatic profile, artfully balancing the vibrant acidity with the rich fruit concentration - delivering an overall harmonious palate. A remarkable testament to New Zealand's winemaking prowess, the Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 accentuates each meal with its crisp, fresh finish making it a splendid choice for wine connoisseurs globally.

Hailing from the esteemed vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand, the Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Block 20 Cash Block Marlborough 2021 is a delight for the discerning palate. This esteemed varietal, crafted by the award-winning Saint Clair Family Estate, is a classic representation of the rich terroir of the region. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested from the Cash Block, a vineyard known for its aged vines and higher clay content.

The Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Block 20 Cash Block Marlborough 2021 presents an aromatic nose and flavours of passion fruit, blackcurrant and a crisp minerality. The wine undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks, preserving its pure fruit expression and vibrant acidity. Ageing on lees enhances the complexity and body of this elegant wine.

A symbol of the superior quality that Saint Clair Family Estate consistently produces, this truly captures the essence of New Zealand's Marlborough region.

Decanter (95)

Seifried was established in Nelson in 1973 by Austrian-born Hermann Seifriedand his New Zealand wife Agnes, and their Aotea series represents specially selected, single- vineyard wines. The fruit for the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc comes from the stony, free-draining soils of the Brightwater Vineyard, just 15km from the coast. It was de-stemmed and pressed immediately after harvest, before undergoing cool fermentation in stainless steel.
Roger Jones: Savoury, with herbaceous notes and textured spice. Some age coming through to give it legs. Clean and focused, this will impress people, especially when served with food.
Melanie Brown: Tropical hints on the nose, with subtle floral nuances flowing across the palate. Poised and elegant, with fresh and lively acidity that feels balanced.
Rebecca Palmer: This has a light, delicate aromatic profile with some lime/lime leaf characters. Drink 2022-2025 Alc 13%

Bob Campbell MW (97)

Seresin’s flagship pinot noir deserves its exalted status. It offers a seductive sweet and silken first impression revealing a structure of ripe, sappy tannins on its lingering finish. Layers of ripe fruit interspersed with subtle floral and herb characters demonstrate real complexity. Approachable now, this wine deserves at least another 4-5 years careful cellaring to reveal its true colours. 2/3/2017 Drink 2017 to 2024