Tasting Report: Some of the Best Wines of New Zealand
By James Suckling
New Zealand is a special place. Its bright sunlight, strong elements, and bold landscape etches thoughts and memories in your mind that you never lose. Each time I drink a New Zealand wine – no matter if I am in Los Angeles, Hong Kong or London – I think of those amazing few days flying and driving to almost two dozen of the country’s best wineries.
92-93 points Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Marlborough 2011
A wine that is focused and precise with sliced apple and lemon with hints of minerality. Full and round with bright acidity yet a round texture. Very pretty. The wine is barrel fermented with wild yeast. Ten percent new wood. In barrel 12 months. Partial malolactic. Ready to be bottled. Drink now.
92-93 points Greywacke Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011
Pure fruit with strawberry and flowers. Very aromatic undertones of lemon rind. Full body with firm and lightly chewy tannins. Wonderful tannin tension to the fruit. Keeps it in line. Ready to be bottled.
92 points Greywacke Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010
Lovely wine here with a raspberry, ripe strawberry, smoky oak character with hints of beef. Some caramel. Full body, with pure fruit and polished velvety tannins. Intense fruit finish, yet acidity gives it tension and structure. Better in 2014.
92 points Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Marlborough 2010
Layered and intense with grapefruit, sliced apple and honey character. Full and very balanced with bright acidity and a clean finish. Tangy and lemony, very intense. Goes on for minutes. Drink now.
92 points Greywacke Chardonnay Marlborough 2010
Wild yeast, barrel fermented, malolactic and 20% new oak. Full-bodied, with sliced apple, pear pie and intense citrus acidity. Finish is very strong. Rich style yet agile. Powerful. Better in 2015.
92 points Greywacke Late Harvest Riesling 2011
Beautifully balanced botrytised Riesling with apricots, honey and spice. Full body, sweet and rich with a long and zingy finish. Wild fruit yet harmonious. 120 grams residual.
92 points Greywacke Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2009
Lovely flavors of almonds, light caramel, spice and honey comb. Full and medium sweet, with a light toffee finish. 90 grams residual sugar. Racy and rich. Small production. Drink or hold.
91 points Greywacke Chardonnay Marlborough 2009
Lots of ripe fruit and a milky undertone. Sliced pineapples too. Full and round textured with pretty fruit and a clean, flavorful finish. Drink now.
91 points Greywacke Pinot Gris Marlborough 2010
This is beautiful and like a top Alsace Pinot Gris in style. It shows a dried fruit and light smoky undertone. Full-bodied, lightly sweet with a rich, oily and powerful finish. Yet balanced and very pretty. Drink now or hold.
90 points Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012
Wonderful finish to this wine with a full-blown Pouilly-Fume aniseed and lemon rind character. Full and flavorful. Drink now. Ten percent barrel fermented with natural yeast and old barrels. Screw cap.
90 points Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011
Lots of lemon rind and subtle papaya aromas. Full to medium body with layers of fruit and a long finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
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