Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of purple and ruby. Deep color yet quite clear. Nose of nice raspberry and cherry, good aldehyde and oak, licorice, a bit wet mushroom. In fact the nose feels like decent full body Pinot noir. Taste follows the nose with addition of prune, black pepper, low tannins, zest, blackberry, dried berries. Clean and very flavorful. Aftertaste snow some more zest, ripe grapes, and peppery note. Very good. — 4 months ago

Peter Wassam

9.0

What I’m having is actually a new wine from them so may be first to review it, but they did a sulphite free merlot. It’s actually quite banging, has a real pointed red fruit chassis with those silky, sultry tannins and texture you want in merlot. It is electrically vibrant, and not at all a bad time for a solo camper — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Dense and concentrated - this wine needs years and I erred in not decanting it not giving much on the nose initially. With time and vigorous swirling aromas of Violets Liquorice Lavender Peppercorns and uncooked Bacon always with the minerality of the vineyard - the Gimblett Gravels. On the palate powerful latent flavours with so much more to give. Generally recognised as probably the best Syrah in New Zealand and if not certainly in the conversation with Craggy Range. Listed in the 1001 Wines. Very difficult to source in Australia and I ended up visiting them in January 2017 in Hawkes Bay and getting on the mailing list. 94 points now but in 3 to 5 years 97 or 98. World class Syrah without doubt. — 2 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

You can tell by the nose how the wine will be..

Focused fruit wrapped in eucalyptus wafts.
The Aroma matches the beginning of the Wines flavors, medium bodied, gravel, Tobacco, blackberry, cherry stem, (You tie enough of them, you get the taste) black pepper - which seems to be a theme for this winery- and cara cara orange acidity, with a firm tannic finish.
Classy wine. — 4 months ago

Douglas Renall

9.0

Racy intensity, velvety tannins, rich dark fruits, licks of vanilla and cinnamon #hawkesbay #merlot — a year ago

Ping chen

9.2

70nzd from villa maria estate 2018/11. Dark cherries. — 2 years ago

Keith Crump

8.9

Settled and less bold plum — 4 months ago

Daryl

9.0

Surprise find at the one marina wine store. Still great to drink! — 7 months ago

Adrian Jongenelen

9.0

Good. Fruity. Not as deep as I like — 2 years ago

Jon Tringale

8.9

Deepburgendy color. Musty with citrus notes on the nose, followed by dark fruit on the mid taste and chocolate on the finish. Solid for the price point. — 3 years ago