9/25/2021 - BigJ wrote:

4.5 years since my last bottle of this and it’s still very youthful. As good as I rembember it to be. Will hold off another few years before another. This is a wonderful wine at the price point and poised for future improvement

6/30/2021 - BigJ wrote:

Fairly tight on opening but after an hour I’d air this began to sing. Tea leaves, tobacco and red fruits with a great length and balance. Lovely, with the best yet to come

6/20/2020 - BigJ wrote:

Quite a bit further advanced than i was expecting. It was very nice, but i wouldn't have blinked if someone had told me this was 15 years old, not 5.
Nutty, honeyed oxidative notes with really nice pure pear and lemon behind them. Good texture and nice mouthfeel.

4/11/2020 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Fantastic tonight. black olive, blueberry and tobacco on the nose. Palate is rich and full bodied with excellent balance and freshness. tannin was nicely integrated. this was a real treat and drinking very nicely.

4/8/2020 - BigJ Likes this wine:

on opening, good wiff of oak on the nose that calmed down the longer it was open. palate started initially tight and not giving much fruit, after an hour it had really opened up and showing beautifully. Real quality of fruit and restraint in winemaking here. I will wait another year for the next bottle, but this was legit tasty.

3/25/2020 - BigJ wrote:

oxidized

10/29/2019 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Found a bottle at a great price while in Hong Kong, opened in the hotel room, not decanted, just given 30 minutes in the glass before drinking. Balance is spot on, tannin are beautiful. Nose has cassis, Tobaco and fresh herbs. The palate really started to give after a couple of hours, value for money is outstanding, glad I have a case at home. This will be great in 5-10 years.

10/28/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Powerful nose of asparagus, grass and a nutty oiliness.
Waxy, crisp palate, with good length. a little toasty. nice wine and settled down more the longer it spent in the glass.

8/11/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Drunk across two days and it was more enjoyable on day two once the wine had balanced off and settled down a little. If i had any in my cellar i'd leave them a few years yet, but i wouldn't expect it to become TOO much more than it is currently. slightly heavy for my taste, while it had acidity, the weight of the fruit and oak were a little over bearing on both days. drank with Lamb on the second night and that was definitely the best time for it. OK, but i won't be looking for more.

6/28/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Cool mineral nose with limes, apples and an interesting sage note. Palate is crisp, medium bodied and medium length. Nice wine and drinking quite well already. A bit of alcohol on the end pokes out which detracts a bit.

6/22/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Very pretty coloraturas of gold with green tinges. wool, minerals, a little honey and citrus on the nose. Palate has nice acidity but getting rounder the longer open. decent mid palate presence. nice wine, i'd happily buy this again. good with food.

6/16/2019 - BigJ Likes this wine:

This has a fragrant nose of tobacco, herbs, cocoa and is richly fruited. lovely mid weight with nice balance. medium length. delicious second wine, in a good spot now with no end in near sight. perfect for what it is.

6/16/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Understated nose as expected for a young wine, but the palate is already delicious. Crisp apple, lemons, slate. Grows broader the longer open. Perfect on a Hot day. Crisp clean and just a hint of sweetness

5/30/2019 - BigJ wrote:

From a 375ml. Almost orange in colour, oxidised bronze. Nose shows strong oxidised character with strawberry and wet rock. Palate is nicely textured, more strawberries, orange pith/ vitamin c. good length and acidity. nice wine.

5/28/2019 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Fantastic, super fresh and young, but already giving lots of pleasure. Nose of limes, toasty brioche, crisp apples and a nice mineral kick.
Palate is so crisp and clear but quite tight. Lovely mousse, extremely refined and looonnngg. Great

4/19/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Grapefruit, lemony acidity. Nice passion fruit and pear notes. Decent length and well balanced fruit for the lively acid.
Good vintage for cloudy bay

1/28/2019 - BigJ wrote:

Pineapple, peaches and red apples on the nose with a little nutmeg. Palate has decent body and nice texture. Medium length and weight. Crisp, quite mineral. Tasty basic Chablis

1/23/2019 - BigJ wrote:

peach, banana and pear on the nose. palate has light texture, with a nice mid weight profile. easy drinking wine.

1/10/2019 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Quite a forward nose offering pineapple, pear, nutmeg and some lime. Good palate weight and sneaky length which keeps going for some time. Pears, citrus, underripe pineapple and nice minerality on the palate round this out to be a great buy, picked some up on special a year or so back and this has proven to be an excellent buy. I really enjoy the Peregrine rieslings across their range.

12/9/2018 - BigJ wrote:

Nice, quite rich nose of cocoa, cherries and really bright zippy raspberry acids. The palate is medium weight but good density, classic cherry, earth, brown mushroom and nice fresh, well rounded acidity. Clearly a kiwi Pinot and meant in a good way. I liked this a lot, would be good to try this in a couple more years.

11/23/2018 - BigJ wrote:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Chocolate, berries, meaty notes, vanilla wrapped up in a thick and viscous texture. good acidity but weighty.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): I've got to be honest, this was actually pretty awesome. massive and ripe and clearly from some very old vines. thyme, chocolate, berries and spicy oak, this is thick, rich, as ripe as anything and yet so well balance and drinkable. the oak and tannin you really don't notice. excellent acidity. this needs years and years but wonderful today. not a style i normally gravitate towards but really impressive.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): This wine was to me everything i enjoy about Aussie Shiraz with out going over the boundary line of freshness or balance. clean and pure fruit, good weight, good acidity and some nice white strawberry and spicy notes came through as the tasting went on. very classy but not ready at all to drink. wait at least 5 years.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Cinnamon spice, cloves, cran and raspberries. wonderful tannins. its rich but not at all over the top. the whole package felt quite floral and very complex while remaining rather tight and linear at this stage. i am sure time and patience will be well rewarded. excellent length

11/23/2018 - BigJ wrote:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): A nose with seabreeze like scents, it was the first thing that i got and it really stuck with me. blueberry, cassis and very ripe fruit. rich, chocolatey and good acidity. it carries it weight well but it is a very rich, very big wine. nice to taste, and of clear quality and well put together. another that is not my style but clearly well done

11/23/2018 - BigJ wrote:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Tight nose, palate was equally restrained, leather, cocoa, boysenberries. clearly too young. maybe just didn't get the attention it deserved in the format it was tasted, but didn't really stand up either.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Beautiful restrained nose, pure fruit, spice, cocoa, leather, pencil shavings. ripe tannin and perfect acidity. all the components in balance now but just needing time to really show. excellent and one of my favourites at the tasting.

11/23/2018 - BigJ wrote:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Big nose, blue and blackberries, some capsicum and cocoa.
First thing I noticed on the palate was the ripeness. Cassis, leather, some jammy fruit. excellent acidity and nice tannin. not really in my wheelhouse, but i can appreciate the quality

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Great balance, excellent intensity and yet remained light weight on the palate. Earthy, persistent and really wonderful mouthfeel. Only a small pour of this one, but seemed very nice.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Cinnamon, cherry and a pickle like aroma on the nose(not quite sure how to describe it better). Quite an earthy palate that is cut by the acidity that leaves it feeling a little tart at this stage. tannin was very fine and far less noticeable than the acidity, lending to a very silky mouthfeel.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): The nose came screaming out of the glass. Ginger, mixed nuts and oak spice, peaches and apricots at the start. on the palate this was very long and balanced. Pineapple, peaches, cashew and hazelnuts beautiful balance and refreshing acidity. it shut down a little over the tasting and became a bit more reserved, but this is really an excellent wine, delicious now and no doubt in the future.

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Grass, lemon and lanolin on the nose with very clear definition. Good weight, gentle spice, lemon curd, little creaminess to the mouthfeel. lovely acidity. nice wine

11/23/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Langton's VII masterclass with Andrew Caillard MW (W Hotel Guangzhou): Fabulous from first pour. Nose had limes, oranges and grapefruit with a clear mineral streak running through. The palate continued on from the nose and also showed some pink grapefruit like bitterness and notes of chamomile. wonderful acidity that was so finely done. very long. delicious already and will no doubt get better

11/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Villa Maria with David Roper (Mandarin Oriental Hotel Guangzhou): Herbs, truffles and berries on the nose. Tannin softening slowly on the palate with good spice, plums, chocolate and a nice full mouthfeel. good length. Tasty now with potential to improve over the next 5-8 years.

11/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Villa Maria with David Roper (Mandarin Oriental Hotel Guangzhou): Real quality here. Very youthful nose, not showing much but what is there is very pure cassis and plums. On the palate it is also holding plenty in reserve, but the texture, balance and sheer quality are unmistakable. Very impressive wine that i will need to get some of.

11/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Villa Maria with David Roper (Mandarin Oriental Hotel Guangzhou): Funky nose with leather, cherry and herbs - immediately identifiable as from New Zealand. Nice tannin, good spice. Cherry, earthy profile. very nice and in a good spot for drinking.

11/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Villa Maria with David Roper (Mandarin Oriental Hotel Guangzhou): A rich nose with toasty nutty oak and fresh ripe apricots. Quite a full weight palate but with nice matching acidity, spicy, with pineapple and citrus notes and grapefruit like bitterness. tasty

11/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Villa Maria with David Roper (Mandarin Oriental Hotel Guangzhou): Interesting nose which was quite light, but showed good peach and apricot notes, floral and with a strawberry sherbet note that was nice.
Palate had good weight and length, nice citrus fruit character, the fruit tasted slightly sweet but was dry.

10/16/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

light and floral nose showing apples, lavender and wax. palate has lovely length and notes of underripe strawberry, peaches, honey and soft ruby grapefruit. long, tasty and very easy to drink. My first time with this producer and a real treat.

9/4/2018 - BigJ wrote:

This was opened and slow o’d for about 4 hours then drunk over the next 3 hours. The nose was pretty tight throughout, palate was very tasty but also only enjoyed fro third gear, with the wine still holding a lot back. I think patience is required here and probably another 5 more years before trying again. Quality no question. Nice wine

8/25/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Opened and tasted then consumed 5 hours later without decanting. Nose was fairly closed still, just giving light hints of vanilla toast, boysenberry and cherry. the palate was showing more more, well built tannin that is clearly running the show but are nice and fine. had notes of boysenberry, truffle, toast and some simple mushrooms. long finish which shows a great future, hold next bottle for 3-5 more years. Lovely

8/21/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Rich pink colour, strawberry, raspberry, almond and beeswax. Nice mousse, crisp and perfect for lunch.

8/21/2018 - BigJ wrote:

At $25 a great buy, tannin is there but super smooth, great texture, fruit is here but currently subsumed by its “freshness”. Lovely wine, give it 3 years then enjoy. Excellent value.

8/13/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Pear, apple, fresh lychee and some nice mineral notes on the nose. Palate has good weight but very light on its feet, good structure and very nice balance. honey, rose and gentle spice add to the experience. really nice wine bought at the cellar door in what was a lovely all round experience. I'll go back for this wine.

8/8/2018 - BigJ Does not like this wine:

sensationally bad. smells of over reduced soya sauce and sugar. palate is rough tannin, slightly sweet, sour, not good.

7/28/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Peach, green pear and some banana candy on the nose. palate is not sweet but shows some residual sugar making it far too drinkable. peach, apricot, nice slate coolness that comes through at the end and really carries it along. very tasty and one of my favourite kiwi pinot gris. I am a fan of this producer.

7/12/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

The nose had lovely brioche, gingerbread and mandarin peel notes.
Toast, baked apples, lemon and a fine, soft bead with delicious mousse made this a very enjoyable champagne, and a very good value while not being the cheapest. Very nice

5/26/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Small pour, fresh and lively on the nose and surprisingly expressive. Boysenberry, pepper and a sherbet like note. Firm tannin get your attention but you can still find lovely milk chocolate, more boysenberries, and an espresso charter behind them, excellent freshness to counter the rich fruit. I liked this a lot and think it will be outstanding in 10 years

5/26/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

A bold nose with a deep roasted note, some cocoa and a herbal character that was not present on the palate. It was thick and full bodied and showing very dark fruits. Long already but not showing a lot of dimension yet. I found this quite muted today, but clearly of very high quality. I would hold for a good while yet before opening.

5/22/2018 - BigJ Likes this wine:

Very young at this stage. The nose shows a good amount of smokey, toasty oak and some struck match, but along with that, after a while comes nice fruit aromas like pomelo and white peach. The palate is rather acidic and shows very crisp currently. good underlying fruit and excellent palate weight with a lovely texture. all the parts are here, just needs a couple of years to become friendly with each other. I will get some more of this to cellar, very nice, drink 2020+