Waiheke Island, Auckland

Passage Rock

Waiheke Island Syrah 2008

Nicely fruity New Zealand Syrah, in addition to blackberry and smoky aromas and flavors, also shows some bacon fat notes and some solid structure, rich and complex, long, lingering finish, very fine!! — a month ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Ira, Andrew and 3 others liked this
ESF

ESF

Love Waiheke Island wines!

Man O' War Vineyards

Ironclad Waiheke Island Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Amazing aromas, fruit forward, bold… complex! — 6 months ago

Tripp Cox
with Tripp

Providence Family

Matakana Private Reserve Cabernet Franc Blend 2005

Opened at a restaurant where we surprised was given a private room. Breathed with decanter but was not the best when opened up. after about an hour of breathing it is more pleasant with some blue fruit and mineral and overall still abit bitter. not bad for new zealand — 7 months ago

Jan and Ceccherini liked this

Kennedy Point

Syrah 2004

ESF
9.5

Mind blowing wine right here! Can’t believe how much it improved since the last time I cracked one open. One of best wines I’ve had all year. — 4 months ago

Ira, Jonathan and 4 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@ESF I’m not familiar with this wine. . It was enjoyable to read your notes and see how it evolved..
ESF

ESF

Sentimental favorite: I visited the winery and sold their stuff for years - this Syrah is at a zenith, exceeded my wildest expectations

Kumeu River

Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2014

Exceptional wine and so classically elegant (not using the B word) except that its hiding an extra point of alcohol (14%) behind an unassuming pale hay glow that looks light and lean. I love the bait and switch.

The delicate sprinkled spices of lemon curd and vanilla and toasted coconut shaving juxtapose the power in the palette - weight and viscosity and length to go the distance.

10 years in, in a perfect spot.
— 6 months ago

Severn, Tom and 8 others liked this

Kumeu River

Estate Chardonnay 2021

Balanced oak and vanilla Chardonnay. Enjoyable New World Chardonnay and a good food accompaniment. — 5 months ago

Barny liked this

Mudbrick Vineyard

Velvet Waiheke Island Red Blend 2022

Aromas of cassis, violets, liquorice and spice. — 6 months ago

Kumeu River

Coddington Chardonnay 2020

Jan A
9.4

Burgundy from New Zealand but then for a fraction of the price. It has lemon/citrus fruits, stones, good acity and a nice round moutfeel. This acted as a cellar defender for my Mate's vineyard cuvee's of '18, '20 and'22 that I have laying down but I've been told that these benefit from a bit more age. — 7 months ago

Roman, Bob and 12 others liked this

Kumeu River

Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Mates Vineyard is considered the best of the Kumeu River Chardonnay Cuvées but to be honest they are all delicious. This has such stone fruit intensity on the palate together with ripe grapefruit and Cashew. All in balance and drinking superbly. An outstanding new world Chardonnay. A few years left in its drinking window. It will always have that superb fruit and will develop a little more complexity - have the last 2019 in a year or two. — 8 months ago

David, Shay and 22 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Ira Schwartz Not overly, a bit of funk there, but the palate intensity was such that perhaps it could stand a decant?
Bryan Kesting

Bryan Kesting Premium Badge

I agree. These are great wines.