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Aromatics Tasting
Aromatics Tasting

This tasting was based on Aromatics and thus over half the wines entered were either Riesling, Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer. The tasting was somewhat uneven as there were a larger than usual number of wines that did not achieve a 3 Star rating and are thus not listed below. At the same time, four 5 Star wines is the highest we have ever awarded in one tasting.

What are TiZwine Ratings?
Stars
Star Rating Star Rating Star Rating Star Rating Star Rating

Stars are awarded to wines on a scoring rating between 1 and 5. Any wine that is awarded a rating of less than 3 will not be published here.

Top Tip
Top Tip Award

A Top Tip is awarded to wines that are of an exceptional quality regardless of price.

Best Buy
This is a Best Buy Wine

A Best Buy is awarded to fine wines that are considered to be of excellent value and typically under $20.

Consumers Choice
Consumers Choice Award

After each TiZwine tasting a lucky team of consumers are invited to taste all the wines. This is again done blind that no one's preconceptions can prevail. Wines that are praised by the collective are awarded this prestigious accolade. At the end of the day it is these people who are going to buy the wines and thus determine their success!

Wines Tasted
Maimai Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007 RRP $15.00
RatingRatingRating
Review: Restrained citrus aromas preceed a spectrum of tropical, grapefuit and lime flavours married to strong acid backbone. The finish is clean and very crisp. Went done well at the consumer tasting.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Maimai Creek Wines
This is a Consumers Choice Wine Buy this wine from the producer
Konrad Sigrun Noble Two 2007 RRP $26.60
RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Konrad make particularly distinctive dessert wines and this is an especially good vintage. Rich and powerful it has intense lemon and citrus fruit with incredible concentration. It texture is velvet and it exhibits a tremendous freshness. Simply great.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Konrad & Co. Ltd.
This is a Top Tip Wine
Cape Campbell Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $18.95
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Subtle peach aromas are a prelude to more intense fruit flavours in the palate that are combined with quite high alcohol. Decent finish and one of the better Pinot Gris in this tasting.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Cape Campbell Wines
Maimai Creek Chardonnay 2007 RRP $17.50
RatingRatingRating
Review: Subtle savoury and mealy nuances preceed delicate fruit flavours with soft oak integration. A simple, easy drinking wine.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Maimai Creek Wines
Goldridge Estate Premium Reserve Matakana Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $18.95
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Review: Subtle pear aromas give way to a palate of reasonable fruit concentration with a touch of honey. The finish is clean and dry.
Region: Matakana
Winery: Goldridge Estate Ltd
Monowai Merlot 2006 RRP $20.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: The savoury, earthy nose is carried through to the palate where ripe and juicy fruit becomes evident. There is good fruit concentration here and a touch of opulence. Promising.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Monowai Estate
This is a Best Buy Wine
Wither Hills Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $25.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: This wine has a clean fruity nose with hints of ginger. The palate displays reasonable fruit and the flavours are clean and fairly persistent.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Wither Hills Vineyards Marlborough Ltd
Mount Fishtail Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $19.70
RatingRatingRating
Review: Quite light in colour this wine exhibits jammy aromas. This sweet fruit style is carried through to the palate and combines with quite dry tannins. Simple easy drinking wine.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Konrad & Co. Ltd.
MOMO Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $27.00
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Review: This is a wine of real promise. An excellent, vibrant nose of savoury plums leads to a mouthful of ripe, dense fruit married to tight tannins. The concentration and length is terrific and this could well be a five star wine in a year.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: MOMO Wine
This is a Top Tip Wine
Opihi Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $28.00
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Review: Quite pale in colour the aromas are cherries with a touch of pepper which is carried through to the palate. There it is joined by tight, drying tannins. The finish is quite soft and reasonably persistent.
Region: Canterbury
Winery: Opihi Vineyard
Turtle Bay Chardonnay 2007 RRP $19.99
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Review: There is a slight nuttiness on the nose whilst the palate exhibits reasonable fruit and a touch oak. Simple, straightforward and easy drinking.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Hatton Estate
Babich Gimblett Gravels Gewurztraminer 2004 RRP $19.95
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Distinctively Hawkes Bay, this is a big wine with broad, generous fruit and a touch of opulence. Its is very enjoyable but with its soft acidity this is a wine for drinking now rather than keeping.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Babich Wines Limited
This is a Consumers Choice Wine
Waimea Bolitho SV Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $24.90
RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Review: The best Pinot Gris in this tasting and as Waimea also make the second best - Spinyback - they should be applauded. This wine has excellent ginger and turkish delight aromas and a palate that is rich and opulent with lovely, sweet juicy fruit and a hint of ginger. Concentrated and persistent this is a must buy.
Region: Nelson
Winery: Waimea Estates
This is a Top Tip Wine Buy this wine from the producer
Vinoptima Noble Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2004 RRP $59.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Golden and unctuous this wine has concentrated fruit flavours and a touch of zing. In the judges' opinion it is at its peak now and will go exceedingly with a variety of desserts.
Region: Gisborne
Winery: Vinoptima Estate
Waipara Hills Waipara Riesling 2007 RRP $19.95
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Review: An elegant nose of ginger and turkish delight leads to subtle citrus fruit, a firm, fine acid backbone and a clean finish. Good wine for summer drinking.
Region: Waipara
Winery: Waipara Hills Wine Estates Ltd
Morton Estate White Label Pinot Gris 2006 RRP $18.00
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Review: Dainty rose petal aromas preceed tender peach and green apple fruit characteristics that are attached to a soft acidity - a feminine wine.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Morton Estate Ltd
Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $46.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Dark and intense the cherry flavours are pronounced and are well balanced by chunky tannins well suited for the structure of this wine. Should continue to develop and improve.
Region: Central Otago
Winery: Bald Hills Vineyard
Morton Estate White Label Viognier 2007 RRP $18.00
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Review: Aromas of straw and pears are carried through to the palate where their ripeness is complimented by an integrated acidity giving a rounded and easy drinking wine.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Morton Estate Ltd
Turtle Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 RRP $18.99
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Review: Persistent aromas of peaches, violets and geraniums give way to citrus almost marmalade flavours and a flinty acidity. Simple but clean fresh and enjoyable.
Region: Nelson
Winery: Hatton Estate
Waimea Bolitho SV Riesling 2006 RRP $21.90
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Review: This wine has a soft floral nose and very upfront lime and mineral flavours combined with a touch of spritz. Its weight is quite light but with good persistency.
Region: Nelson
Winery: Waimea Estates
Maimai Creek Gewurztraminer 2007 RRP $17.50
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: This wine has a good lychees and turkish delight nose that succumbs to nice fruit flavours and tight acidity. The finish is clean and reasonably persistent.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Maimai Creek Wines
Clifford Bay Riesling 2006 RRP $20.50
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Good varietal aromas of petrol. The palate shows clean, fresh melon fruit and a lively, spritzy acidity with good concentration of flavour and decent persistency.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Clifford Bay Estate
Cape Campbell Limited Edition Reserve Gewurztraminer 2007 RRP $24.95
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Review: Delicate aromas of lychees come before decent fruit flavours and quite high alcohol. In time this should soften and the fruit concentration will increase.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Cape Campbell Wines
Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $45.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: An elegant wine with sweet, ripe, juicy flavours that are married to soft and rounded tannins. It has savoury plum flavours and the finish is soft and clean.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Wither Hills Vineyards Marlborough Ltd
Devil’s Backbone Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $29.95
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Review: One of the best Pinots that we have reviewed this year let alone in this tasting. The earthy and dense fruit aromas are superceded by ripe and juicy cherry fruit which has excellent concentration and consistency. The tannins are bold and perfectly balanced whilst the finish is smooth and persistent. Buy some now!
Region: Central Otago
Winery: William Hill Vineyard and Shaky Bridge Wines
This is a Top Tip Wine Buy this wine from the producer
Farmgate Gewurztraminer 2007 RRP $25.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Unlike many of the Gewurztraminers in the tasting this one had a touch of zing. The fruit was fresh and juicy and the aromas were distinctively ginger and turkish delight. Went well in the consumer tasting too.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Farmgate Wines
Buy this wine from the producer
Matakana Estate Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $27.00
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Review: The nose has delicate rose petal nuances while the palate displays reasonable fruit and a soft acidity. The finish is clean and fairly persistent.
Region: Matakana
Winery: Matakana Estate
Sandihurst Medium Riesling 2004 RRP $21.50
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Review: This wine has a lovely sweet, almost honey, aroma with petrol nuances. The citrus fruit flavours are extremely ripe and exhibits a touch of spritz. The acidity is broad and soft - hence its 'medium' description. Generous and full this is a little different and interesting
Region: Canterbury
Winery: Sandihurst Wines Ltd
Pegasus Bay Main Divide Riesling 2007 RRP $19.95
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Review: Another tremendous Riesling from Pegasus Bay and this one is even under $20. Petrol and turkish delight aromas abound as do the tropical and apricot flavours. The classic spritz is also present and all wrapped up in a seamless acidity. Tangy persistent finish.
Region: Waipara
Winery: Pegasus Bay Winery
This is a Best Buy Wine This is a Top Tip Wine
Bald Hills "Last Light" Riesling 2007 RRP $27.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: A young light wine that has good citrus, lime aromas and flavours as well as a firm acidity and good length. Clean and fresh, it just needs a little time to integrate. One for the cellar.
Region: Central Otago
Winery: Bald Hills Vineyard
The Ned Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $24.95
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Review: Delicate aromas of violets lead to peach and green apple flavours in the palate with a soft acidity and reasonable length.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Waihopai River Vineyard trading as The Ned
Morton Estate “The Mercure” 2005 RRP $18.00
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Review: Plentiful aromas of dense forest floor and leather give way to upfront fruit with good oak integration and tight, chalky tannins. Good value.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Morton Estate Ltd
Monkey Bay Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $15.99
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Good honeysuckle aromas are replaced by pear and tropical fruit flavours that have fair concentration allied to decent acidity. The finish is soft and rounded. Enjoyable at a very fair price.
Region:
Winery: Nobilo Wine Group Ltd
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $42.95
RatingRatingRating
Review: Pinapple and violets on the nose and pears and pineapple in the palate this is a drier style of Pinot Gris than many. Reasonable fruit concentration and quite high in alcohol.
Region: Waipara
Winery: Waipara Hills Wine Estates Ltd
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2007 RRP $26.95
RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Varietally correct and intense aromas of petrol are followed by wonderful juicy fruit flavours and classic riesling spritz. As you would expect with a wine as packed with fruit as this the finish is long and persistent. Top class.
Region: Waipara
Winery: Pegasus Bay Winery
This is a Top Tip Wine This is a Consumers Choice Wine
8 Ranges Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $29.95
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Review: This wine has vibrant colour with dark berry almost jammy aromas. The palate is quite smokey and the tannins a little grippy. However, these should continue to ease and this is undoubtedly a food wine.
Region: Central Otago
Winery: Eight Ranges Wines
Shepherds Ridge Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $28.00
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Review: Aromas of earth and forest floor preceed soft ripe and spicy fruit with tight tannins and firm acidity. The wine has a lovely sweetness in the mouth. Well made wine.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Shepherds Ridge Wine Estate
Brunton Road Merlot 2007 RRP $19.00-20.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: The ripe berry fruit nose leads to soft ripe and savoury fruit tied to drying, chalky tannins that will soften and integrate over time. Has potential.
Region: Gisborne
Winery: Brunton Road Wines Limited
Morton Estate Stone Creek Riesling 2006 RRP $21.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: A mineral nose with lime and citrus notes. The palate displays vibrant green apple and lime characteristics allied to a lovely, clean, crisp acidity that makes this wine very refreshing. Great persistency and concentration.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Morton Estate Ltd
This is a Best Buy Wine
Spinyback Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $17.90
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Review: Lifted aromas of ginger and rose petal succumb to ripe, juicy concentrated fruit married to good acidity. A wine of beautiful consistency that has great balance and length. Super buy.
Region: Nelson
Winery: Waimea Estates
This is a Best Buy Wine Buy this wine from the producer
Maimai Creek Riesling 2007 RRP $15.00
RatingRatingRating
Review: Decent lime aromas lead to citrus and green apple flavours and a light acidity. The finish is clean and off dry. Straightforward wine that will please many.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Maimai Creek Wines
Askerne Gewurztraminer 2006 RRP $22.00
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: Excellent lychees aromas lead into similar but more delicate flavours combined with a lively acidity. The finish is clean and has good length.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Askerne Vineyard
Konrad Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $29.45
RatingRatingRatingRating
Review: This wine has a lovely nose of sweet, ripe cherries. The palate again has good fruit sweetness with raspberry characteristics and silky tannins and firm acidity. A feminine wine that will please many.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Konrad & Co. Ltd.
This is a Consumers Choice Wine
Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $19.95
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Review: An easy drinking wine - most Pinot Gris are - that has a pleasant floral, rose petal nose and elegant citrus lime flavours tied quite high alcohol.
Region: Marlborough
Winery: Babich Wines Limited