Although some of these tasting notes may be found elsewhere on this site, this page brings together most of 'Other Red Wines' (other than Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Pinotage), listed alphabetically by Producer. Click here for rating systems and abbreviations.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 2009 – Hawkes Bay (sc) Like the colour of bottled cherry juices with a bright purple crimson edge. Aromas are fresh and fruity and the taste is spicy with a hint of sweetness. The fruit is ripe and juicy, raspberries and strawberries in particular with a creaminess to the lingering finish with a hint of leather, a touch of spice and just a little bit of grip. Te Mata's answer to Beaujolais, it can be well chilled especially in the summer. 13% alc. $17.99. 5Aug2009.

Hyperion Midas Matakana Malbec 2008 (D) Deep bright red black in colour, opaque to the eye. Rich savoury aromas and bold flavours with fruitcake cherries and a wild berry rusticity underpinned by creamy oak and velvety textured tannins that simply dissolve into the chocolatey softness of the wine. Infused with spice and floral notes, this is a meaty wine with lots of flavour and juicy drinkability. 13% alc. $34. 7 Nov 2009.

Weeping Sands Waiheke Island Montepulciano 2008 (sc) Intensely deep dark red-black colour with a vivid purple glow. Savoury aromas with a smattering of dried herbs and while also quite savoury to the taste, there's vibrant redcurrant and raspberry fruit adding a wave of sweetness. With firm textured succulent tannins, a smoky infusion from the well-integrated seasoned oak and a touch of red liquorice and spice this is an outstanding New World expression of a classic Italian grape. 14% alc. $35.99. 30Sep2009.

Church Road Cuve Series Limited Release Hawkes Bay Marzemino 2007 (sc) A dense, shiny blackberry red. Quite leathery and savoury on the nose with a juicy berry sweetness and a pepperiness reminiscent of Syrah. But nothing like Syrah in the palate - it's big, rich, full-bodied and meaty - a monster of wine with huge but very supple tannins, juicy blackberry fruit, creamy oak, earth and hints of leather. If you like savoury with succulence, this is it. Phil says the Italian's answer to Malbec. Ready to enjoy now. 13.5% $32.99. 12Aug2009.

Omaha Bay Matakana Montepulciano 2007 (D) Vibrant saturated deep purple with crimson rims. Savoury aromas and rich, creamy and savoury to the taste - let that first sip evolve because it is so full of flavour. Slightly mocha-infused chocolatey oak, a hint of thyme and earthy notes to complement the brightness of fresh blackberries picked from the roadside. Full-bodied and complex in its flavour, a thought provoking taste treat. To cut through the wine's structure and tannins, simply match with ciabatta bread and blue cheese. 14% alc. $40. 2Aug2008.

Marsden Estate Bay of Islands Chambourcin 2007 (c) After tasting the plush Pinotage from this producer, this is a thinner wine both in appearance and taste. It's quite gamey, herbal and leathery with loads of barnyard character and meaty tannins and leaves a slightly butter taste. It's not fruity at all and definitely not the best Marsden Estate Chambo I've tasted. 13.5% alc. $24.6Oct2009.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Hawkes Bay Gamay Noir 2007 (sc) A gem-like ruby / purple garnet colour, translucent but deep. Fragrant, berryish aromas with fruitcake spice and liquorice staple lollies and amazing structure and depth to the taste for what one regards as a lightly oaked, lighter-styled red. It has lots of bright mouthfeel, fruitiness and savouriness with a touch of tar, woodsmoke and game. 12.5% alc. $19.99.12Mar2008.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2007 (D) Deep, dense, blackberry red in colour, this has dark savoury oak and concentrated plum-like fruit with just a hint of musky florals on the nose and a smoky, savoury, earthy, dry palate with hints of tobacco, spice, a touch of chocolate and a musky fruit sweetness pushing through. The bottled red and purple fruits are juicy and counteract the seemingly massive tannins and while the wine is overall very savoury, it is well balanced by the juicy fruit and underlying acidity. 91% Tempranillo and 9% Malbec. 14% alc. $31.99. 25Mar2009.

Ascension 'The Steep Bit' Matakana Malbec 2006 (sc) Deep ruby, bright, not quite opaque. Tobacco and violets mingle on the nose with grainy vanillin cedar. Lifted and fragrant in the palate with a cherry fruit profile, smoky cedar, floral notes, a firm tannin structure and a long savoury smoky finish with a touch of bacon which melds in nicely with the fruit that is more blackberry on the finish. Medium to full-bodied in style. 13% alc. $29. 10Jul2007.

Coopers Creek SV 'The Clays' Huapai Malbec 2006 (sc) Incredibly deep purple coloured with crimson edges, this is a monster of a wine, yet still remarkably juicy and succulent once you get through the door. Savoury, leather, funky and earthy with grippy, rubbed fur tannins. There's incredible depth and purity with floral nuances to the finish. 13% alc. $23. 13Oct2007.

Mills Reef Reserve Malbec 2006 (sc) Very deep in colour. Rich, sweet, floral, earthy and savoury scents. A full-bodied wine that is voluptuous and drinkable with a concentrated creamy richness to the bright berry flavours and a hint of chocolate to the fragrant finish. Smooth, ripe, balanced, deep, earthy and long. Totally delivers, as always. 14% alc. $22.95. 25Jan2008.

Morton Estate Private Reserve Hawkes Bay Montepulciano 2005 (sc) Deeply coloured with rich berry aromas that have a winey smokiness, leather, dried herbs and brambly fruit that smells ripe and goupy. It's a medium-bodied, fine textured, slightly oxidative style with underlying acidity and a rustic character to the finish reminiscent of an Italian country red. A little richer and creaminer the following day, it's great choice for lighter summer drinking and to acoompany lamb on the barbie. 13% alc. $22.95. 20Dec2007.

Omaha Bay Vineyard Matakana Montepulciano 2006 (D) Deep purple black, like blueberry jam with its crimson edges. On the nose there's black fruits, mocha and savoury oak - it smells youthful with an aromatic cedary fragrance. Savoury to the taste with red and black fruits, tar, chocolate and mocha building in the rounded, full-bodied palate with juicy blackberries bursting their flavour in the mouth and underlying citrus peel acidity keeping everything in check. It's brooding and deep with a crushed velvet texture. 13.5% alc. $35. 6Jul2007.

Saltings Estate Matakana Malbec 2006(D) Deep in colour with vibrant crimson purple tints, this intense wine emits a concentrated aroma full of rich fruitcake, plums, violets and sweet smoky oak with perhaps a hint of liquorice and tar. It's ripe and lush and lavishly full bodied with juicy purple plum and blackboy peach fruit but finishes earthy with Malbec's distinct savouriness and oak spice making a statement. With a long full aftertaste with just a hint of mint - this is the star of the Saltings Estate wines and the most expensive too. 14% alc. $28. 23Mar2008.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2006 (D) Saturated deep dark plummy red with a touch of violet and crimson to the liquid's edges. Smoky, savoury aromas with red fruit, tobacco and hints of spice. On the medium side of full-bodied in weight, it's quite savoury with a fruit cake cherry sweetness, a touch of tar and firm tannins. There's an interesting charcoal undercurrent and while there are herbs, tobacco and acidity adding lift and musky nuances adding perfume to the red fruit flavours that are ripe and sweet, there's a nuttiness to the finish too. A wine that goes to another level with the right kind of food. Lamb and tamarillo is recommended. 13.5% alc. $30. 21Jul2008.

Weeping Sands Waiheke Island Montepulciano 2006 (sc) A deep black red, shiny and crimson-edged bright, this clean, modern, upfront style is filled with delicious, juicy, wild berry and chocolate coated cherry fruit with a backbone of thick, velvety tannins and sweet, creamy vanillin oak. Made by Obsidian. 14% alc. $33. 20Dec2007.

Clearview Two Pinnacles Hawkes Bay Malbec Merlot 2005 (D) Deep, concentrated purple-black colour with crimson-violet edges. Meaty aromas with mint sauce and leather overtones then plummy red fruits, violets and smoky oak push through. It's fragrant and intriguing on the nose but in the palate it's quite closed at first with big meaty tannins and vanillin oak the dominant features but the concentrated cherry, plum and redcurrant fruit push through the tarry backbone in a very forceful way. It's a big, dark, earthy and concentrated wine that needs decanting to show its best and let those lovely floral characters of the Malbec do their very appealing thing. It's ripe and generous in its full-bodied palate and the spicy, juicy finish has hints of liquorice too. Made from a blend of 46% Malbec, 45% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in predominantly new French oak for 15 months and bottled unfiltered. 13.5% alc. $25. 22Jun2007.

Coxhead Creek Inlet Red Matakana 2005 (sc) A deep crimson coloured red made from an approximate 50/50 blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc yet the aroma is so peppery-scented you would think it was 100% Syrah. Peppery on the initial taste too, and quite savoury with a bitter cherry and plum sweetness and moderately soft yet grippy tannins, it morphs as it travels across the tongue into a wine of Bordeaux character with a touch of tobacco, smoky French oak and dried herbs. An approachable wine with structure and flavour. 13.5% alc. $25. 17May2008.

Framingham Marlborough Montepulciano 2005 (sc) A deep crimson-pinky-red colour, bright and youthful, almost opaque in its core. Bright, savoury, meaty aromas mingle with musk, liquorice and rose petal. There's wild red berries and spicy savoury oak in the creamy and complex medium-weight palate. It's very fresh with vanilla, spice, liquorice, rose petals, beautifully balanced acidity and fine velvety tannins that impart a very pleasing mouthfeel. The bright lifted flavours integrate well with the creamy vanillin oak, there's a touch of bitter chocolate kicking around in the background and dried herbs too. Very nicely done but a little elusive if you are trying to guess what the grape variety is. 13.5% alc. $25. 22Jun2007.

Heron's Flight Dolcetto 2005 - Matakana (c) An appealing, deep, bright, boysenberry colour and smells enticing and tempting with sweet cedary oak, polished oak, smoky oak and savoury oak not that it is overly oaky by any means. Concentrated berries add to the aroma's allure. Smoky and savoury to the taste, the sweetness of the cherry and berry fruit comes through with a spicy coating and fine grained dusty tannins while there is good support from the firm acid backbone. It's meaty and savoury with delicious fruit sweetness and a long juicy finish. Very young, but very very approachable. 14.5% alc. $35. 4Feb2007.

Lochiel Estate 'The Laird' Fortified Desert Wine (c) Made from 100% Malbec grown in the rolling hills of Mangawhai, north of Auckland, this is deep purple crimson in colour, bright and opaque, it's spicy, rich, plummy and just a little spirituous on the nose. The flavour is rich, weighty, bright-fruited and expansive with a slight mintiness, deep purple fruit, subtle oak and smooth, satin-sheet tannins. There's no overt spirit flavour at all although there is alcoholic lift and warmth to the finish, which leaves a warm minty sensation and an aftertaste that reminds me of Cadbury's Old Gold dark chocolate with raspberry chips. 500ml bottle. 17% alc. $29. 5Apr2007.

Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Malbec 2005 (c) The deepest colour of all the 2005 Eslspeth reds, the crimson edges were gem-like, even in the poor light. Dark and smoky, the violet character of the Malbec grape leaps out of the glass with spicy cedar and fragrant herbs. A nuggetty wine with stewed plums and berry fruits, spice and cigar-like French oak, the meaty tannins are ripe and smooth and the savoury aftertaste has nuances of chocolate over juicy summer berries with rose petals and tar. Great length. Excellent already and could become a superstar. 14% alc. $39.95. 29Jan2007.
Deep inky black red with colour saturation right to the rims. Alluring with its smoky, cedary, rich, juicy aromas and excitng with the jammy, juicy fruit that explodes in the mouth with a full bodied taste of blackcurrants and purple jubes over a firm backbone of spicy, creamy oak. Rich and ripe with an earthiness emerging to balance the upfront fruitiness together with florals that gives such beauty to the finish. Top stuff. 14% alc. $39.95. 18May2007.

Ransom Matakana Carmenere 2005 Dark Red. Sappy French oak and wild berries on the nose carry through to the creamy textured palate. Medium to full-bodied, rich and tasty with red berry fruit, liquorice, creamy oak, hints of tar and herb, a spicy lifted overlay and well balanced acidity on the deep, earthy finish. Silky tannins throughout. An exciting wine from Matakana and a good cellaring prospect too. 13% alc. $26.99. 2May2007.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 2005 (sc) Cerise-blue. Aromatic, fresh, lots of juicy fruit flavours - blueberries, blackberries, raspberries plus carbonic-maceration characters of fruit and bubble gum, with a long, juicy savoury finish. Light in colour but not in substance. 12% alc. 19Sep2005.
The colour of a purple hued rubellite gemstone. Aromatic, floral, a little peppery - like stock flowers in the distance - and cherries galore on the spice, dry, savoury palate with cigar box notes and a lovely freshness to the finish. A light red wine with lots of flavour. 1Oct2005.

Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Montepulciano 2004 - Hawkes Bay (sc) With some depth to the Burgundy colour, it looks a little like a full-bodied Pinot Noir but that's where the similarity ends. Most of the tasters thought this wine was from Europe. I did too because it has an Italian-like character with earthy, savoury, smoky, dried herb and cherry jam scents that carry through to the creamy palate which has meaty tannins, nutty oak, smoky herbs and a juicy vibrancy from the underlying acidity. Developing nicely and a great food wine. 13.5% alc. $21.99. 23Jan2008.

Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Tempranillo 2005 (D) Richly aromatic, the winey, savoury aroma wafts out of the glass even before being raised to my nose, but with my nose right in the glass the fragrance imparts its glory even more. I smell wild summer berries growing wild amongst the bracken in the Coromandel bush. I smell rose spice - the smell that is left on your fingers when you have just picked a Dublin Bay or Cecile Brunner rose. I smell chocolate, sweet leather, spice and oak. When I finally taste it I am seduced even more. It tastes sweet yet savoury, robust yet juicy, with succulent, velvety textured tannins and mouthfilling flavours reminiscent of black doris plums, wild berry fruits, liquorice, fruit cake spices and dried herbs with a touch of tobacco on the smoky finish. Well-balanced acidity underpins the wine and lifts the finish. Oak seems subtle but when poured from a tasting glass into a bigger drinking glass, the vanillin oak becomes more prominent but remains in balance to the succulent fruit. The best yet. 14.5% alc. $29. 16Oct2006.

Villa Maria Riverstone Red NV Fruit driven red with a dry savoury character, little oak influence, redcurrant fruit and a touch of spice. A great priced quaffer made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. $10.95. 6Sep2005.

Ascension 'The Steep Bit' Reserve Matakana Malbec 2004 (sc) Crimson red with purple hues. Smoky cedary oak aromas and sweet, savoury flavours. Tamarillo and cassis fruit, soft tannins, a juicy backbone and a hint of smoky bacon on the finish. A medium-bodied wine, perhaps a little short but plenty of flavour. $24.95. 4Jun2005.

Clearview Two Pinnacles Hawkes Bay Malbec 2004 Deeply coloured with dark, tarry aromas then in the palate there's an earthy, mushroom, pinot-like character with wild berries, fruits of the forest, creamy oak, a touch of leather and quite dry tannins. A rich, dark wine with lots going on. 15% alc. $25. 17Mar2006.

Francis-Cole Rosso Edition 1 NV Deep red colour. Farmyard, barnyard and leather on the nose, herbal and savoury in the palate with nuances of mint. It has good structure, but is unfortunately marred by a medicinal flavour. $23. 4Jun2005.

Heron's Flight Matakana Dolcetto 2004 Opaque in colour with deep cherry red hues, opulent scents of cedary oak and wine macerated black cherries and juicy flavours of sweet Dolcetto grapes but the natural fruit sweetness is balanced by savoury oak and a tarry, almost liquorice-like richness. The texture is creamy, the tannins are firm but not overpowering and the lingering finish is long and drywith a floral character emerging as it lingers. 13.5% alc. $33. 28Jan2006.

Kemblefield Hawkes Bay Zinfandel 2004 (D) Mocha-infused aromatic oak and spice on the nose, dark and tarry in the palate with smoky red fruit that almost tend toward tamarillo. Add plums and concentrated blackberry, it is like an autumn pudding. A fascinating wine that has lots of flavour bursts on a smooth creamy backbone. 14% alc. $24.99. 6May2006.
Fading in its garnet red colour, it looks a little thin – like an older pinot noir. A little pongy and earthy on the nose but spicy and perfumed in the medium-bodied palate with sweet fruit and silky tannins, it's ripe, juicy and creamy with mulled wine spices, an array of berry fruit from strawberry to blackberry, an earthy finish and hints of barnyard as it lingers. Nothing like a Californian Zin, but well made and ready to drink now. Diam closure. $22.99. 2May2007.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Malbec 2004 (sc) Very fragrant, almost soapy, rose, violet and rich berry fruit aromas with the fragrance carrying through to the palate. Ripe and rounded with abundant cherry and juicy purple fruit and a lifted, creamy textured savoury finish with good length. There's a touch of mint on the finish too that would be the perfect touch to set off lamb. 13.5% alc. $19.95. 17Mar2006.

Okahu Estate Northland Chambourcin 2004 (sc) Deep and dense in colour and full of deep, dark, earthy, savoury, gamey flavours, complimented by sweet smoky oak with hints of chocolate, wild dusty berries, a touch of spice and nuances of herbs. 13.5% alc. $27.99. 16Feb2007.
Deep red in colour, it's savoury smelling with bitter chocolate, leather and black and red fruits on the nose and tastes a little jammy with hints of maraschino cherry. Call this a meaty wine - a big, rich, meaty, gamey wine with smooth, slippery tannins and an earthy, mushroomy depth. A wine with power, richness, succulence, flavour and plenty of chicory and chocolatey oak. Smooth and creamy, long and silky, it has the brightness, it has the depth and is drinking very nicely now. 13.5% alc. $28. 7Oct2007.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 2004 - Hawkes Bay (sc) Light in colour, it looks like pale Pinot Noir or a heavier Rosé. Fragrant, fruity, savoury and soft with good vinosity throughout and a lifted finish, a light alternative to pinot noir, a dry red to match to spicy food. 12.5% alc. $18. 20Sep2004.
Translucent dark red, gemmy in appearance, aromatic and floral with berry fruit and liquorice adding to the scent and light fruity flavours that have an earthy undercurrent with hints of beetroot and tomato, and a smoky finish. The vinosity of the wine gives mouthfeel and palate weight. A light-bodied red to match to lightly spiced Asian flavours. 12.5% alc. $19.95. 12Apr2005.

Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Montepulciano 2004 (white label) This looks like a young Pinot with its medium opacity and purple edges and it smells savoury, earthy, tarry and just a little musky. The tar comes through in abundance in the palate to join juicy bramble-like fruit with underlying strawberry acidity and Italian herbs like Oregano build on the savoury, earthy finish. Fresh and juicy, it depicts the Italian grape variety well. 13.5% alc. $21.99. 25Oct2006.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Tempranillo 2004 Rich deep dark red. Savoury, leathery aromas with a touch of paint box and rich, gutsy flavours of sweet fruit, musk, leather, spices, lots of oak and warming alcohol. It has the structure of cabernet and hints of a cassis character too, and there's a pinot noir-like earthiness to the finish. Needs a big glass and food. 14% alc. $30.99. 25Oct2006.

Ata Rangi "Stella" Celebre 2003 - Martinborough (sc) Ripe, lifted, peppery and fragrant - this is an enticingly floral red wine. In the palate there's a salty, leathery nuance with grainy tannins, vanillin oak, raspberry-red rather than black fruits and a savoury finish. While it doesn’t have the generous fruit fullness that is found in similar-priced Hawkes Bay reds, the finish is long and silky. Made from a blend of 35% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, it's named after winemaker Helen and Ben Masters baby Stella, born on Christmas Day. 13% alc. $32. 11Jun2006.

Herons Flight Matakana Il Rosso 2003 Medium depth pinky red hue the colour of fresh black cherry flesh, and a smoky, slightly tarry aroma. Sweet fruit fills the palate with juicy fresh black cherry flavours aided and abetted by the tartness of cherry skins and red cherry guavas. Add to that a tomato savouriness, creamy vanillin oak, soft tannins and a tarry earthy kick to the spicy finish with good acidity to carry the flavour and you have a very characterful wine. 100% sangiovese aged in older oak. 12.5% alc. $22. 23Jan2005.

Lucknow Estate Gamay Noir 2003 Bright crimson tending to vivid purple. Sweet smelling fruity nose, firm tannins and a dry briary palate, it's fresh with purple fruits, a touch of leather and lingering cherry and spice. Made from the Cru Beaujolais clone 222. An interesting alternative. 26Aug2003.

Luna Negra Waiheke Island Malbec 2003 A hugely concentrated, rich wine with a blackberry red colour of inky depth, some herbal nuances, a touch of tar and very fine, rich, dry tannins integrating into the cedary, vanillin oak with chocolate on the finish. A monster of a wine and just delicious if you like this style. $70. 8Sep2005.

Okahu Chambourcin 2003 - Northland (sc) Inky red black in colour with purple crimson rims - very dense with a youthful brightness. Gorgeous, lifted aromas of wild berries in the bush alongside a dusty road on a hot summers day. The wild berry flavours carry through to the palate with creamy oak and soft juicy tannins and there's a kind of earthy, leathery, wild animal note in there too. A red liquorice flavour comes through on the finish and there's a savoury, herbal character to the aftertaste. It's a big, soft, juicy mouthfilling wine and as it lingers, bitter cherry and chocolate flavours emerge. 14% alc. $27.95. 30Jan2006.

Stonecroft Zinfandel 2003 Translucent ruby coloured. Fragrant with crushed berries, hints of lavender and rose petal on the nose. A medium-weight wine with good fruit concentration giving an impression of sweetness, a satin-like texture, ripe juicy blackberries and a smoky, spicy, musky aftertaste with a hint of liquorice as it lingers. 14% alc. $28. 24Feb2005.

Crab Farm Hamish Jardine Malbec Merlot 2002 (sc) Dense dark red with crimson rims. Opulent ripe berry fruit and sweet oak aromas. A firmly structured wine with sweet oak, ripe fruit, grippy yet sultry tannins and a long, full-bodied, juicy, rich finish. Nicely rounded throughout. A very good wine. 13% alc. $32. 4Jun2005.

Crossroads Talisman 2000 Unbelievably deep in colour - a deep, opaque, red-black - so youthful for its age. On the nose there's savoury oak backing a concentrated perfume of cracked berry fruit. Quite oaky to start but the fruit fights its way through to become rich, opulent, mouthfilling and moreish with boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, chocolate and cigar box in the background with a beautifully fine tannin structure and fantastic length as the flavours linger. A blend of six undisclosed grape varieties. 12.5% alc. $38. 28Aug2005.

Framingham Marlborough Montepulciano 2002 Black red, dense in its colour. Wonderfully ripe fruit, smoky, creamy, vanillin oak and leather on the nose, a good spine of acidity in the palate, it's soft in its attack but nevertheless robust in its structure. Some leather in the palate too, savoury with a touch of woodsmoke, perhaps cigar box, a little tar and the fruit – wonderful dried cherries and prunes and even a little citrus. A fascinating wine, full of flavour, I like it a lot. Spicy, faint woody herbs and an oily richness. It has the ripeness I found in the Herons Flight but absolutely no chocolate. Screwcap. 12.5% alc. 2Jan2004.

Herons Flight Sangiovese 2002 An attractively dense cerise red with a slightly spicy, peppery and creamy oak bouquet and chocolate creaminess in the palate, it's a ripe mouth-filling wine choc full of ripe cherries and blueberries with subtle spices and a touch of acidity to lift the finish. It's robust and leathery when first open becoming creamier as it adjusts to the atmosphere. A wonderfully ripe wine with great structure and a clean finish. This is the fourth vintage for Heron's Flight and the ripest to date, and although it is deliciously enjoyable now, the acidity will ensure that it ages well. A rich wine made to go with creamy cheese, I thought it just fine with a warm summer tomato soup and Neil had it with bacons and mushrooms, both dishes from the Herons Flight Café. $50 a bottle, great packaging, a conversation maker. *****. 31Dec2003.

Kemblefield Reserve Malbec Merlot 2002 Dense in its colour as one would expect, it's like a shiny ripe blackberry to the eye. Deep, dark-fruited scents, bowls of berries with a touch of spice, the faintest hint of leather, then later a little savoury but mostly ripe fruit enhanced by oak. A mouthfilling wine with masses of juicy fruit and lovely structure built on fine tannins with good acidity on the finish and just a touch of creamy chocolate which lingers with peppery spice and earthy notes. Great persistence with a floral intrigue when scents of violets come forth. Made from 55% Malbec and 45% Merlot, this really is the star of the new releases. 14% alc. $34.95. 8Mar2004.

Kemblefield Reserve Zinfandel 2002 Deep purple red with plenty of colour and depth. It's a little chocolatey on the nose with cherries, a hint of currant, pepper and juicy brambly berries, a solid ripe wine, balanced and round. Creamy oak combines with spice and currants to become quite savoury as the wine evolves. There's pepper and other exotic spices, brambly cherry pie flavours, a touch of acidity, well-integrated robust tannins and a slightly salty finish – a saltiness I liken to that of baked rosemary herb. An interesting wine, every mouthful is a new taste discovery. 14.5% alc. $49.95. 8Mar2004.

Mills Reef Elpseth Malbec 2002 Very black, dense, inky in its colour with a lovely fragrance of spicy oak melded with leather, plum and a hint of tobacco. Deep, dark, smoky and mysterious, the essence of Malbec with concentrated fruits, hints of liquorice, there's a floral note with smoky herbs and an earthy undercurrent. Fleshy and juicy with soft acidity, the huge fruit in the wine balances the tannins. Amazing wine!!! *****. 14% alc. $39.95. 30Jun2004.

Stonecroft Zinfandel 2002 Medium coloured red, bright in its hues. Fruity smelling with strawberry jam and wild berries on the nose. Lighter and fruitier in the palate than I was expecting for this variety, it’s dry with good vinosity, a touch of earthiness and an array of fruit flavours including cherry, guava, strawberry and plum. I get flashes of lighter styled Pinot Noir characters with the floral intrigue of this wine. Good with food, try with a rare slice of beef fillet topped with chicken liver paté, or a slice of Kikorangi blue cheese topped with Morello Cherry Jam – have the cheese and jam atop the beef too. 14% alc. $25. 29Feb2004.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 2002 - Hawkes Bay. A lightish style with good colour, a fruity flavour and a sweetish finish. It's soft in tannins and savoury in profile with cherry, sweet rhubarb and thyme flavours and little influence of oak. It improves with sitting in the bottle and there is a slight suggestion of oak apparent on day 2. 26Nov2002.
This light cherry red coloured wine has smoky jammy strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant aromas. It's a little chocolatey too. Light, soft and fruity with a spicy fruit flavour and a Euro-like savouriness. $21.95 15Jan2003.
Pink cherry colour with the aroma of sweet cherry lollies on the nose. This is fresh and fruity with cherries and juicy boysenberries combining well with the undercurrent of tarry savoury characters. Light and rather luscious, it has developed well in the bottle. Would be great with pasta or ratatouille. 7Aug2003.

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Malbec 2002 (sc) A vibrantly coloured, deep, inky, crimson black. Fragrant - but quite yeasty too - a character that carries through to the palate. Full-bodied, rich and fleshy with fragrant wild berry fruit, well-integrated cedary oak, chocolate, a little bit of peppery spice, rich ripe grainy tannins, lifted acidity on the finish and a violet-enhanced chocolatey aftertaste. Matured in French and American oak of which 60% was new. 14% alc. $55. 12Aug2005.
Dense shiny, inky black with vibrant purple rims. Opulent aromas of chocolate covered coffee beans and spicy creamy flavours with loads of mocha, a touch of mint, liquorice and peppery spices, leather, big grunty tannins, sweet succulent oak and a lifted cedary note to the dry finish with a violet-like fragrance coming through as it lingers. As the aftertaste fills the mouth, there's bitter chocolate, bitter chocolate and more bitter chocolate. An amazing wine that is now starting to soften and integrate. 14% alc. $57.95. 8Feb2006.

Borthwick Wairarapa Sangiovese 2001 There's cherry hues to the red of this wine. It's developing well in the bottle, becoming somewhat Syrah-like with its peppery nose and spicy backbone. Dry and savoury, lots of berries – not a juicy Aussie style of wine – not too heavy and not too light. Savoury. I like it a lot. Great food style. 31Dec2003.

Collards Shanty Block Malbec 2001 Vivid and dense in colour, extremely fragrant with aromas of violets and deliciously juicy ripe red berry and cherry flavours, velvety tannins, smoky oak and a ripe and juicy finish. 18Aug2002.

Fromm Marlborough Malbec 2001 There's brilliant blackberry hues and purple -red crimson rims to this inky coloured wine that emits a big yeasty aromas and hugely powerful flavours of earth, leather, spice and tar. It's intensely concentrated with a very dry, rich liquorice and succulent tannin finish. 26Aug2003.

Herzog Marlborough Montepulciano 2001 This is outstanding wine; deliciously sweet ripe fruit mingles with spice and firm ripe tannins, creamy oak, a hint of menthol. It's very youthful and ever so grippy right now, so needs to mature in the bottle to let that tannin bite settle. Spicy notes linger. 85% Montepulciano, 15% Cabernet Franc. 21Aug2003.

Monarch Sangiovese Te Horo 2001 Ruby colour, ripe fruit with juicy strawberry and boysenberries, creamy oak, savoury tannins, hints of leather and a touch of spice. Nicely balanced and drinking well. 20Aug2002.

Pleiades 'Maia' Marlborough Malbec Merlot 2001 This blend of Malbec and Merlot results in a rich, dark and savoury wine with a lick of leather, a touch of peppery spice, concentrated plum and blackberry fruit and creamy oak held together by powerful tannins. It has the benefit of bottle age and is drinking very well now. I thought it magnificent with a herb encrusted rack of lamb cooked medium rare. $32. 5Oct2003.

Sanderson Sangiovese 2001 Very light in colour with raspberry / violet hues. Very ripe fruit that is quite unusual in its flavour - rhubarb and guava, perhaps. This is unoaked and quite fruity and jammy. 19Aug2002.

Ata Rangi Celebre 2000 Wow! Fabulous nose on this wine. Fresh and vibrant with a floral edge. Lots of peppery spice in the palate with a hint of chocolate, delicious ripe red berries and cedary oak. A powerful wine with firm ripe tannins and a long sweet-fruited finish. Will definitely stand up to robust foods. A blend of syrah (40%), merlot (20), cab sauv (19) and cab franc (1). 9Sep2002.

Borthwick Wairarapa Sangiovese 2000 Medium density red wine with subtle spice aromas. Sweet fruit that is also meaty and savoury with a strawberry jam flavour emerging. Dry, light tannins, floral nuances, light and bright savoury notes and a creamy texture with light leather lingering on the sweet ripe finish. There's a nice fruit flavour in this most interesting wine. The vineyard yielded 4 barrels, in this, their 2nd vintage of Sangiovese. 18Sep2001.
Interesting wine, medium in colour, lots of tea-like tannins but musky sweet fruits and a meaty savoury finish. 20Aug2002.

Kemblefield Reserve Zinfandel 2000
Really meaty smell, like kidney then later dried roses joined by prunes and stewed rhubarb aromas. Spicy and a little porty in a way. Cloves, cinnamon, musk, rhubarb and creamy blueberry, a hint of chocolate - lifted and spicy. 2Jun2002.
2 days later: An array of fruits - strawberry and cherry, prune and blackberry and raisins emerging. Also meaty and savoury, woody and smoky with some musky spice lingering with old roses. A medium to full-bodied wine with light to medium tannins and good acidity on the lifted finish.
One week later: Lighter profile red in the cherry rather than blackberry spectrum. This wine was an excellent match better to seasoned roast chicken but did not go well with a beef casserole.

Lombardi Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 50% Sangiovese, 50% CS, 10% CF. Deep, bright, rusty red. Leather notes on the bouquet, and leather, plums and Xmas cake spices in the palate. Quite lifted with some drying spicy fruit. A very interesting wine. $34. 24Sep2001.
Also tasted blind in a line-up of Sangiovese dominant wines, mainly from Italy - rich blackberry fruit, a quite opulent new World style with very ripe fruit and pretty oak that is fairly dominant at this stage but all in balance. 18/20. 29Aug2001.

Marsden Estate Chambourcin 2000 Deep red with purple hues. Game meat savoury aromas - tarry, smoky. In the mouth there are juicy ripe berries mixing with savoury and spice. .Good depth of flavour, good acidity, smoky gamey finish. Sweet and sour. Interesting wine. Something that reminds me of pinot. 29Jun2002.

Moana Park Malbec 2000 (Dartmoor Valley, Hawkes Bay). Lighter in colour than other 100% malbecs I've seen. That doesn't take anything away from the flavour though. Jammy, plummy fruit is sweet and ripe with soft tannins, a nice balance of integrated oak and lovely lingering flavours. 17Sep2001.

Omaka Springs Marlborough Gamay 2000 is made in a Beaujolais Villages style with carbonic maceration. It's a pretty light cherry pink and in the mouth is light and fruity with hints of tropical fruit, strawberry & cherry jam. It is sweet and pretty and will be lovely drinking over the summer. I can just imagine lazing on the deck and sipping on this wine while enjoying some summer fruits and cheese. Approx $14.95. Tasted 17Sep2001.

Pleiades 'Maia' Malbec Merlot 2000 (Marlborough) 80% Malbec, 20% Merlot. Now this dense and inky purple black colour is what I expect Malbec to be. What a lovely fragrant aroma of ripe red and black berries together with the smoke of a freshly fired cannon. Dense and powerful in the mouth with concentrated black fruit, rich ripe tannins, spicy meaty oak, an earthy depth and a smoky blackberry finish. Ripe, smoky and slightly minty with a leathery hint and a creaminess on the finish, this is a wine that begs to be cellared. The 'gunshot' and fragrant character of this wine made me wonder. Often cabernet franc is attributed to these emitting these qualities in a Bordeaux blend but perhaps Malbec, which is a grape of the Bordeaux region, enhanced those characters. A very good wine. $30. 30May2002.
After 12 days of sitting around with the cork in it, this is still going strong - yes there is a hint of oxidation at first on the nose but that passes to laves aromas of dried roses and citrus. There's still concentrated fruit in this black, spicy rich and voluptuous wine. Quite a bit of sediment hanging around the bottle too. 11Jun2002.

Stonecroft Zinfandel 2000 Bright carmine colour of medium depth. Lifted, berry fruit driven aromatics with berry pie nose. This is a lovely spicy, bright, fruit and refreshing, fruit driven wine. There's good acidity, firm tannins, a creamy richness, leathery spice, a cherry brightness and emerging cassis that lingers with the merest hint of milk chocolate. $25. 16Feb2002.

Voss Estate Waihenga 2000 (Martinborough). Lovely, rich, ripe berry fruits of plum, raspberry and blackberry with hints of leather and a little chocolate. Well coloured, sweet and ripe with firm tannins, a nice oak influence and a meaty note on the finish. A most enjoyable wine. 18Sep2001.

Arahura Malbec Cabernet Franc 1999 (South Auckland) A 60/40 blend. Fragrant but quite leathery also. Lifted bright fruit in the palate and a dense earthy finish which becomes quite sweet on the follow-through.

Ata Rangi Celebre 1999 A blend of several unnamed varieties but has 30% Syrah (more than in previous years) with emits a rich, ripe pepper spice dominating aroma. Smooth and creamy in palate with crushed velvet texture, juicy tannins and strong dusky/vanillin oak influence. A long finish with bright cherry and berry fruits. Although not as opulent and forward as the 98, still a super wine, which I enjoyed very much. Tasted 27Aug2001 @ Ata Rangi release tasting.

Esk Valley Reserve Hawkes Bay Malbec 1999 Huge colour black right to the rims. Cigar box aromas. Dense and spicy, soft and ripe but also some massive tannins in there. A little meaty. What's the fruit - blackberry some meaty fleshy fruit.- black peaches - black plums? A minty nuance. This is a totally fabulous wine - quite unique. Just 5 barrels were made. $53. Five barrels from the Terraces vineyard and one from Gimblett Road. This wine may be a one-off, as the malbec usually goes into the Terraces, and there was no Terraces made in 1999. 25July2001.

Forrest Estate Merlot Cabernet Rosé 1999 Attractive, light pinky/purple colour. Fairly rich wine scents and lots of up front fruity flavours of blackcurrants, redcurrants and cherry combine. Later there's strawberry and raspberry too. In the palate there's lifted acidity and citrus with a hint of spice and a nice texture of glycerol, reminiscent of a liqueur. Altogether it's delightfully balanced and refreshing. RRP $14.95. 25Aug1999.

Heron's Flight Sangiovese 1999 Deep ruby red with a cerise glow. Ripe fruit aromas with an earthy rustic note then in the mouth bitter sweet cherries, vibrant and ripe wild berry fruits and strong dry upfront tannins with peppery spice. Then the velvety vinous texture of the wine takes over. There is a lovely depth of flavour and concentration with a rich fruitcake spice and a creaminess from the well-integrated new French oak. By the time you get to the end of the glass the wine seems so mellow and the rich full flavours linger for a long time. This wine has great structure and a fine future ahead of it and will benefit from cellaring. If you have to drink it now, try with some bread and strong cheese such as Kapiti Brick. WOTW 17Dec2000.

Herzog Marlborough Montepulciano 1999 Deep colour, blacky red. Fragrant with berry and creamy oak. Rich creamy texture. Big black meaty fruit, vrbrant spices. Strong tannins. A meal of a wine with a clean velvety finish. 14%. $72. 21Jan2002.

Sanderson Hawkes Bay Sangiovese 1999 Very lifted mint and musk aromas, Has the tea tannins I associate with Italian wines. Sweet plum, cherry and strawberry fruit. We enjoyed this. 6Jun2002.

Stonecroft Zinfandel 1999 This is the first commercial release of a Zinfandel in NZ. It is not the style Alan Limmer wanted to make - not a high alcohol (14% or above) porty type wine. It's bright plummy red of medium to deep intensity. There's cherries and spice on the nose and in the palate, lifted sweet fruit with an intense berry fruit character of raspberry and cherries with spice. There's good acidity. It's a lifted fruity wine with a long finish and a touch of spicy leather on the finish. $25. 26Feb2001. WOTW 11Mar2001.

Vin Alto Clevedon Sangiovese 1999 Cherry scented, a touch of spice, a little hint of pepper and liquorice, it's nutty and dry with a pleasing tannin structure, oak is not overpowering, maybe it has a touch of chocolate on the finish. A light to medium-bodied style with a rich palate structure and excellent persistence, this excellent example of Sangiovese from New Zealand is an absolute most for food. Enzo Bettio recommends hearty bread and cheese. 13% alc. about $28.95. 26Aug2003.

Ata Rangi Celebre 1998 Made predominantly from merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, cabernet franc and the bits and pieces from the new vines including the Italian grapes, sangiovese and nebbiolo. Great aromatics of spice, cassis and hints of violets. In the palate rich, ripe, succulent and juicy berry fruit, heaps of oak, big tannins and a minty nuance. This is one for the cellar. 18/20. Nov 2000

Crossroads Talisman 1998 A blend of six red varieties - not stated on the label. Dry, salty, savoury, bread, marmite, spice, tannin, licorice, leather. An interesting array of flavours with sweet, ripe fruit. Very rich, very long. Fascinating wine. 2 May 2001

Stonecroft 'Aquilon' Fortified Syrah 1998. It is a wine that has only been partially fermented, so the aromas are very attractive and quite heady with sweet scents of flowers, fruit and jam and a subtle spiciness. Fruit-rich with sweet blackberries and plums, well structured with fantastic balance, length and flavour and a lovely smooth velvety texture. The flavour left in the mouth after the wine has gone is rich, clean, long and very more-ish. 18.5% alc. About $40. WOTW 12Mar2000.

Vin Alto Clevedon Celaio 1998 A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and CS. There's some development to the dark brick red colour of this intensely fragrant wine that has the mellow aromas of fruit, liquorice, spice and old cedar. a soft, round, mouthfilling wine with a firm tannin backbone, cedar, spiced plum jam, cherries, bread and spice and a savoury finish. Terrific flavour, terrific mouthfeel, terrific length, ready now, it's a wine to sip and savour. 13% alc. $31.95. 29Oct2003.

Vin Alto Di Sotto 1998 A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese from Enzo Bettio's Clevedon vineyard, he calls it a 'baby super-Tuscan'. It's a tawny-hued and lovely ripe smelling wine with the scent of cherry liqueur and a big tannin structure with ripe leathery plum and succulent mixed berry fruit - perhaps there's some strawberry too, then a dry, rose-influenced finish. It really needs food for my palate, perhaps a big stick of salami. Di Sotto means 'down under'. 26Aug2003.

Vin Alto Retico 1998 A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo from Enzo Bettio's Clevedon vineyard, this is quite tawny but dense in its colour. It's a hugely concentrated wine with amazingly rich raisin, prune and cedary oak aromas. It's like plum and brandied Christmas Cake with a dollop of liquorice, it's quite dry on the finish however. An intensely concentrated nutty red wine with the influence of botrytised grapes, almost like port. 16% alc. 26Aug2003.

Ata Rangi Celebré 1997 Minty aromas and soft, lovely integrated cassis, blackcurrant and plum flavours. Although I find this wine finishes with a 'pongy' note and I can detect some of the 'vitamin B' character that I associate with the yeast. Do let you put this off - I have never been the world's greatest fan of this wine. Other friends of mine just love it..(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Franc). $30.00. 23Aug99.

Okahu Estate Saint Jacobs Rare old Tawny Port Looks like Olorosso Sherry Smells like sherry. But tastes like Muscat. It is in fact a port. Nutty and lifted with mulled-like spices and baked oranges, rich and sweetly mouth coating although the wine finishes dry. Vinously appealing at the end of the tasting with that brandied fruit cake richness. $37. 6Feb2002.

Matawhero 'Bridge Estate' Gisborne Red 1989 A blend of 34% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc aged for 10 years before release it had a dense colour of bricky red and aromas like an aged Bordeaux characters and reminiscent of an empty chocolate box. The wine is quite dry in the palate at first with a little bite of acidity and perhaps the slightest of herbal notes. Mellow, yet lively, it initially seemed to lack fruit but then the juicy plums and berries emerge from some hidden spot. There's a lovely body and richness from this rounded, balanced and smoothly textured wine with its soft tannins, moderate alcohol levels of 12.5% and a structure as solid as the bridge it is named after. It finishes with a lingering ripe fruit sweetness and an amazing length of flavour with chocolate complexity. There is an elusive, attractive quality in this wine. $39.95. WOTW 24Oct1999.

Matua Valley Grenache Cabernet 1997 Has developed well since first tasted about a year ago. Dense colour like that of a red fleshed plum with a flash of black cherry. When tasted previously the wine was quite floral with smoky, dusky, meaty scents, they are now quite berryish with a dash vanillin oak. In the palate it's earthy and dusty, with forward fresh berry fruit flavours and a touch of meaty spice. There's a decent dollop of alcohol and lifted, ripe flavours on the finish accompanied by the hallmark pepper and spice character of grenache. The lingering flavours are quite smoky. This is a big, full-bodied wine of excellent balance and structure, the cabernet providing the backbone, while the grenache provides the richness and power. About $26.00 WOTW 13Feb2000.

San Marino Palamino Dry 1967 The golden coloured liquid tasted mellow, smooth and seductive and although dry, it had a voluptuous stone fruit sweetness topped off with vanilla and honey, a clean finish and an incredible length of flavour. Bottled in 1994, the 26 years in oak and subsequent bottle aging beautifully complemented the nutty 'rancio' character of the Sherry that, if it was Spanish, would be 'Amontillado' in style. $15. Tasted at the Kumeu River Winery, 22Mar2003.

Lombardi Special Reserve Port Bin IV Deep ruby red. Licorice and berry bouquet. Spice and licorice in the palate to.. At first it seems a little oxidative, but fills out to a very drinkable, rich, alcoholic wine. $18. 24Sep2001.