apple and peach, rich flavours with brioche and mineral notes, creamy texture, fresh acidity, full body, multi-layered, very good on length and complexity. still young.

RP 92, JR 16.0+, WE 94, JS 94

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 4+3/10
Total 93+/100

83% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle. Deep gold/brown, honey, dried apricot, rich and succulent, solid acidity, full body, obviously alive and full of vigour. all balanced and very long. It's amazing nearly 70 year old! though I expected a little more density.

RVF 19

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+5/10
Total 94/100

ripe dark fruits, plummy with some violet, spices, gentle white peppers, surrounding earthy and fleshy notes. full body, melted grainy tannins, long finish with some creamy chocolate. very good on density and fulsomeness. breathing in bottle, it performed immediately and lasted its best for around one hour.

just at its peak after 12 year in cellar. 20 months in French oak, 42% new. MC 5, RC 19.5-

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 93/100

aromatic nose, dense ripe dark fruits, violet, pepper and mild spices. multi-layered and rich flavours with meaty and smoky notes, well balanced acidity, full bodied, velvety tannins. a wonderful Cote Rotie, just stepping into its peak.

RVF 18

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 94/100

dense ripe dark plum, attractive rich flavours, spices, black pepper and oak, full bodied and fully integrated, very concentrated core, dry tannins, a little chewy, solid acidity supporting a strong backbone, some espresso in long finish. an exceptional Waiheke Island Syrah, from a great vintage. in its drinking window now, though it might develop more complexity in the next 5-8 years.

BC 94

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 94/100

same as previous bottle, very nice in nose, intense dark fruits, spices, violet . a little light in mouth, m/m+ body, smooth tannins, subtle cigar box, dark chocolate in m++ finish.

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 93+/100

perfumed aromas of dark fruit preserves, some licorice, pepper and dark spices, rich flavours matching to the aromas, mineral and savoury notes adding another layer of the complexity. full body, ripe tannins, still firm, sufficient acidity to form a grand structure. still young, hold in the next 5 years at least.

RP 98, JD 98, JS 96, Vinous 96

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 5+5/10
Total 96+/100

perfumed, dark berries and spices, bright fresh acidity, some meaty and savoury notes. smooth texture. fine grained tannins, m+ body, m++ finish. clean and pure fruity, combined with fragrant and some savoury complicity. a typical and well polished cool climate Syrah.

all good except a little lean, I still don't get it how it becomes a cult and such a high price (about NZ$200 or even more as you can only find it in auction now).

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 5+3/10
Total 93+/100

rich and luscious, dry apricot, honey, honeysuckle, grapefruit with a little bitterness, some baking spices, balanced high acidity. full body, long finish with subtle white floral and mineral notes.

A classic NZ sweet wine. Alc 13.5%, 164g/l RS, 50% new oak, aged in barriques on its lees for 12 months.

CD 95, BC 95, MC 5, RC 19.0+, NZWR 95

Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 94+/100

deep amber. intense noses, nuts, spices and dark caramel and dried prunes. it's rich in mouth, sea salt, dry fruits, solid acidity surrounded by strong yeasts, fermented tofu flavours. full body, smooth and dry. long long finish with oak spices. great complexity, a luxury experience.

RP 97, JR 17

Ap 5/5, Ar 14/15, Palate 18/20, Overall 4+5/10
Total 96/100