New Zealand Wine Review – Shaky Bridge Pioneer Series, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2012

Food match: Pan-fried New Zealand beef fillet steak with oven baked chips, salad and a red wine reduction.

Aroma: Not highly aromatic on first opening. Scent was toasty and smoky.

Color: Dark purple, almost mauve. Opaque with little shine.

Body: Medium to light bodied. Quite thick.

Taste: Sharp and fresh flavours of apples or young cherries and blackberries. Slight diesel factor. Nutty after-taste.

Cost: $NZD20 from the cellar.

Quality rating: 2.5/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: Would try again. Not a great match for the steak.

New Zealand Wine Review – St Clair, Marlborough, Chardonnay, 2013

Aroma: Sweet and peachy.

Color: Watery and dull with slightly fluorescent greenish tinge.

Consistency: Very light and watery.

Taste: Acrid, green apples. Top back of mouth. Like hard dry raisins.

Cost: $16

Quality rating: 2

Value rating: 1.5

Final words: Not for me. 

New Zealand Wine Review – Pukeora Estate, Hawke's Bay, Merlot, 2010

Aroma: Spice woody, cedar and vanilla.
Color: Ruby red and very clear.
Consistency: Jagged tors. Moving quickly.
Taste: Medium bodied mouth filler. Blackberries and wood smoke.
Cost: Gift
Quality rating: 3/5
Value rating: 10/10 - a freebie!
Final words: A very nice aged merlot.

New Zealand Wine Review – Esk Valley, Gimlet Graves Hawke's Bay, Merlot Cab Sav Malbec, 2014

Aroma: Plums and winter fruits.
Color: Deep rich opaque purple.
Consistency: Surprisingly light.
Taste: Chemical tobacco. savory spice.
Cost: $NZD15
Quality rating: 5/10
Value rating: 7/10.
Final words: A serious heavy drinking wine.

New Zealand Wine Review - Brancott Estate, Brut Cuvee

Aroma: Ripe pears and dried figs.
Colour: Rich golden yellow with rosy tips.
Bubbles: Fast and furious. Quick to fizzle out.
Taste: Deep flavours. Pears. Figs. Nuts.
Quality rating: 4/10
Price: $13
Value rating: 8/10
Final words:  Surprisingly complex and satisfying at a very good price.

New Zealand Wine Review – Dry River, Martinborough, Riesling, 2010

Aroma: Complex floral and pear.
Color: Glassy lemon and grey. Owl eyes.
Consistency: Glossy and even with quick evaporation.
Taste: Strong umani. Complex. Sour notes and astringent citrus.
Cost: From cellar.
Quality rating: 7
Final words: I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. Possibly may be a little passed it. Think I still have another.

New Zealand Wine Review – Vidal, Marlborough, Riesling, 2014

Aroma: Lemons and olives. Herbaceous.
Color: Orange and green highlights.
Consistency: Rough and rocky.
Taste: Lemon, lime and peach.
Cost: $NZ 15
Quality rating: 4/10
Value rating: 7/10
Final words: A pleasant quaffing wine. Uncomplicated.