The Wine Front – There’s a curious smell of neoprene here, or bicycle inner-tube, aside that there’s cherry and raspberry, charcoal briquettes, cassia bark, and some dried rose and mint perfume. It’s medium-bodied, dried cherry and pomegranate, a smoky and smudgy feel to tannin, quite savoury and autumnal, with a spiced tobacco finish of good length. Nice wine. Fleshy and flavoursome, with a little tamarillo/sweet tomato tang to close.
Huon Hooke – Bright, fresh pinot noir with floral, rose petal, cherry and subtle spice flavours. An appealing, easy-to-drink wine, with an ethereal texture and vibrant flavours. Simple and distinctive. Good varietal definition. (Bob Campbell
The Real Review, 18 January, 2022)
World Wine – The grapes were given four days to cold-soak before a natural wild yeast initiation of the ferment. The wine spent 24 days on skins before being pressed and transferred into 20% new French Allier barriques for malolactic fermentation and further aging for 20 months. Unfined & unfiltered to retain the great flavours. Natural sediments may show. Visualise walking through a lush Mediterranean herb garden and jumping into ripe berry bushes to get a sense of this tribute to Burgundy’s greatest. With hints of dark chocolate and spicy cloves, this is the perfect blend of sweet and savoury with elegant tannins and fine acidity. A graceful star that will age beautifully over the next 10+ years.
'Complex pinot noir with an array of flavours including coffee, plum, rhubarb, mixed spice, cedar and toasty oak characters. A richly-textured wine showing appealing 'forest floor' and 'beef tea' bottle development.'
94 POINTS
Bob Campbell, The real review
The Wine Front – "Cherry, strawberry, a little sappy and earthy, a bit of spice, and a lovely rosy perfume. It’s medium-bodied, has a wonderful ferrous quality to graphite tannin, and the quality of the tannin here is really a highlight, with crisp acidity, some redcurrant and cranberry crunch and brightness and a very long and firm finish. Wonderful structure, energy, and persistence. This is such a high quality Pinot Noir. Terrific." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
The Wine Front – Cherry, strawberry, rosy perfume, with gravelly/earthy bass notes, plus some biscuit spices. It’s medium-bodied, deep and full in flavour, with a rich seam of pumice stone tannin, some blood orange and amaro tang to acidity, cherry pip and raspberry, with a stony and firm finish of excellent length. So good. At the top of the NZ Pinot tree for me. Outstanding"
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
James Suckling – This represents a selected parcel that has been singled out as the best expression of Te Whare Ra’s site. It has an enchantingly bright and perfumed nose with violet-like florals, sweet baking spices and beautifully pure red cherry fruits. The palate has impressive structure and textural complexity, the tannins swirl, the acidity shines and the fruit flavours in the red cherry and redcurrant spectrum run deep, long and deceptively powerful. Drink in 2017. – Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com
Huon Hooke – Most of the grapes are from a 16-year-old hillside vineyard, with a small amount from five year-old vines on the flat. Quite a dense, rich and fleshy red with floral, violet, dark cherry and plum supported by gentle tannins. Good now, even better in a year or two. (Bob Campbell
The Real Review, 7 July, 2021)
Nestled at the northeastern tip of New Zealand's South Island, Marlborough boasts a unique combination of factors that make it an ideal region for viticulture. The region is blessed with a temperate maritime climate, with long sunny days and cool nights, ensuring grapes ripen steadily and maintain their fresh acidity. The soil, a mix of fast-draining stony compositions, is a vital contributor to the signature flavors of the wines produced here. Marlborough's Wairau and Awatere Valleys, each with their distinct microclimates and terroir, add a multifaceted character to its wines. Over the years, dedicated winemakers have perfected the art of capturing the essence of the land, producing wines that resonate with both novices and connoisseurs. The result is a diverse range of wines that not only reflect the purity of the region but also its spirit of innovation and evolution.
Marlborough is located at the northeastern tip of New Zealand's South Island. Characterized by its sun-soaked plains and valleys, it is cradled by majestic mountain ranges that shield the vineyards from harsh weather conditions. Stretching between the towns of Blenheim and Picton, Marlborough covers a vast expanse of land and is home to the Wairau and Awatere river valleys, where many of its prime vineyards are situated. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean moderates its climate, making it an ideal location for viticulture.
Marlborough wines have gained a formidable reputation on the global stage for their vibrancy, purity, and consistency. Known primarily for its standout Sauvignon Blancs, the region produces wines that are not only of excellent quality but also offer great value for money. The unmistakable intensity and crispness of Marlborough wines, especially its whites, are often available at remarkably affordable prices, making them a favorite among both connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers.
The essence of Marlborough's uniqueness as a wine region lies in its terroir. The combination of well-draining stony soils, consistent sunshine, and cool nights gives Marlborough a distinct advantage in producing wines with fresh acidity and concentrated fruit flavors. The region's distinct diurnal temperature variation ensures a longer ripening period, allowing grapes to develop full phenolic ripeness while retaining their natural acidity. This balance is the hallmark of Marlborough wines. Furthermore, the passion and innovation of local winemakers, combined with sustainable viticultural practices, have cemented Marlborough's place as a world-leading wine region.
Marlborough is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc. This varietal thrives in the region's climate and soils, producing wines that are aromatic, with notes of passionfruit, gooseberry, and sometimes a characteristic hint of bell pepper. These wines are zesty, crisp, and intensely fruity, capturing the essence of the Marlborough terroir. While Sauvignon Blanc dominates, the region is also becoming known for its elegant Pinot Noirs and vibrant Chardonnays, showcasing the versatility of Marlborough's wine-producing capabilities.
Defining the "best" wines from Marlborough can be subjective, as individual preferences play a significant role. However, some acclaimed producers from the region include Cloudy Bay, Dog Point Vineyard, and Brancott Estate. Cloudy Bay's Sauvignon Blanc, in particular, has been instrumental in catapulting Marlborough onto the world wine stage. Other noteworthy wines, like those from Greywacke and Astrolabe, embody the region's distinctive character and are celebrated for their complexity, depth, and consistency. These wines, among others from Marlborough, are a testament to the region's prowess in the world of viticulture.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.