New Zealand Wine Review – Church Road McDonald Series, Hawke's Bay, Syrah, 2015

Aroma: Strong caustic aroma. Plenty of cut grass. Earth and pepper spice.
Color: Inky opaque crimson. Solid and wide eyed.
Consistency: A nice round rim with good legs that evaporated quickly.
Taste: quite soft and tingly. A bit of balsamic, clove and raspberry. 
Cost: $NZ 25
Quality rating: 7/10
Value rating: 8/10
Final words: Not usually a fan of Syrah, especially on a warm day yet this was perfect with our Venison and Beetroot Salad. Would buy again.

New Zealand Wine Review – Poppies, Martinborough, Pinot Noir, 2014

Aroma: Initially very sweet, plum jam. Settled in the glass to become ticklish with pepper, pine and Asian spice.
Color: Light and slightly tawny. Nice and clear.
Consistency: slow and soft with sticky tear drops and straight legs.
Taste: soft and smooth, tart cherries and plums, green capsicum and habaneros.
Cost: $NZ 45 (we think - cellar door a while ago)
Quality rating: 8/10
Value rating: 8/10
Final words: very nice drop, went well with a steak on a hot hot summer day.

New Zealand Wine Review – Te Mata Estate, Hawke's Bay, Bull Nose Syrah, 2015

Aroma: dry earth and wood chips, a little minty
Color: dark and dramatic, blackberry ink
Consistency: lovely round curves with slow motion gelatinous gloopy legs
Taste: dry spice and wood, mouth tingling and fresh
Cost: $NZ 40 (on special)
Quality rating: 8/10
Value rating: 10/10
Final words: total bargain at the price. This felt like a $100 wine.

New Zealand Wine Review – Selaks, Hawke's Bay, Founders Limited Edition Pinot Gris, 2015

Aroma: Grapefruit, lavender and rose
Color: light and bright shiny yellow
Consistency: Slow evaporation no legs or run
Taste: waxy sweet and tart lemon and soap
Cost: $NZ 26
Quality rating: 5/10
Final words: rather average may need time

New Zealand Wine Review – Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay, Syrah, 2013

Aroma: Peppered vegetable
Color: Rich dark burgundy. glossy and virile
Consistency: soft and slow
Taste: Peppery and meaty savory herbs and rich winter fruit
Cost: $NZ 30
Quality rating: 8/10
Final words: Smooth and subtle strong but very drinkable

New Zealand Wine Review – Church Road McDonald's Series, Hawke's Bay, Pinot Gris, 2015

Aroma: Sweet Ripe stone fruit
Color: gold and glowing
Consistency: long fat first legs then craggy
Taste: front of tongue and mouth very sweet apricot and almond biscuit
Cost: $NZ 20
Quality rating: 6/10
Value rating: 3/10
Final words: overly sweet and lacked finesse, good for the Bogan party but there are better cheaper options available

New Zealand Wine Review – Church Road, Grand Reserve Syrah, 2014

Aroma: punchy plums and berry, spicy and bold
Color: inky royal blood purple
Consistency: languid and smooth evaporating to nothing
Taste: complex fruity and deep and warm. Berries,  herbs and grasses and wild game
Cost: $NZ 30
Quality rating: 8/10
Value rating: 9/10
Final words: yum. I liked this a lot.