Bob McDonald

9.5

Initially oaky notes which blew off after a while. Black and blue fruits, a gingery note with stacks of black pepper. A genuine cool climate Syrah - possibly NZ’s premium Syrah and certainly one of my favourite Syrahs. Black pepper and spice bordering on profound palate intensity. Very northern Rhone - excellent. I don’t know how available this is overseas but it’s worth seeking out. An interesting back story: The winemaker, John Hancock, who worked the harvest at Jaboulet in 1996 received Syrah cuttings from the Hermitage Hill as a gift from Gerard Jaboulet. Hancock planted them in 2001 and now, in good vintages, uses the fruit for Homage. Scents of potpourri, lavender and wild thyme “. I totally agree. — 8 days ago

Richard Hayward

9.1

Really subtle, very nice. Dangerously drinkable — a month ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Great QPR — 2 months ago

Pooneet K

8.9

Better than I expected, though I haven’t had much north fork cab franc. Quite seamless with some dark red berry and cherry. Finish is maybe a smidge thin but still a nice wine. — 2 months ago

ESF

9.3

Stunning SB: more tropical on the nose, vivid passion fruit, guava but great complexity in that it also had that classic gooseberry & grassiness, some mineral too. Really wild, zesty acidity, and a delight to drink. Went down way too quickly! — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Nose of ripe red fruits plus black plum. Obvious whole bunch influence. Fruit influence has diminished a little since previous tasting but there was some fruit sweetness when tasting at the end of the.palate and the bottle. Kiwi expert Bob Campbell MW was very impressed and said “the best Ata Rangi I’ve tasted “ when he tasted it in June 2016. — a month ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

 Incredibly light, almost see-through clear, went perfectly with the slow roasted leg of lamb. We had along with its black garlic and mushroom sauce. Perfect example of drink wine, and eat food from the same location they came from.  — a month ago

with Denise

Ely Cohn

9.3

Exceptional wine and so classically elegant (not using the B word) except that its hiding an extra point of alcohol (14%) behind an unassuming pale hay glow that looks light and lean. I love the bait and switch.

The delicate sprinkled spices of lemon curd and vanilla and toasted coconut shaving juxtapose the power in the palette - weight and viscosity and length to go the distance.

10 years in, in a perfect spot. — a month ago

Jan A

9.4

Burgundy from New Zealand but then for a fraction of the price. It has lemon/citrus fruits, stones, good acity and a nice round moutfeel. This acted as a cellar defender for my Mate's vineyard cuvee's of '18, '20 and'22 that I have laying down but I've been told that these benefit from a bit more age. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mates Vineyard is considered the best of the Kumeu River Chardonnay Cuvées but to be honest they are all delicious. This has such stone fruit intensity on the palate together with ripe grapefruit and Cashew. All in balance and drinking superbly. An outstanding new world Chardonnay. A few years left in its drinking window. It will always have that superb fruit and will develop a little more complexity - have the last 2019 in a year or two. — 2 months ago