Big Island Brewhaus

Oyster Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Classic NZ label. Smells funky. Lawn just cut or a piece of fresh grass in the teeth. And lemon citrus peels. Flavors are complex and very audacious. Bombastic even. Plenty of citrus, but something else as well. Shells? Like the calcium carbonate in those. Also big gooseberries. This is a good example of how NZ Sauv Blanc differs from the other styles out there. This wine packs a punch. — 7 months ago

Kumeu River

Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Still a bit surly but massive potential. A big and serious nose of reductive smoke, apple, cut grass, and lemon. This is a full bodied powerful wine but there is still a feeling that there is more to come once this properly unfurls. Sour apple, mealy bread, wrapped in toffee. Creamy, but with a solid steak of sour acidity. Amazing length. True GC structure but 5+ years to truly express itself. — 3 years ago

Ira liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Big Wave Dave I recently posted on the 2019, our experiences sound similar.

Nobilo

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Big melon up front, subtle citrus on the tail. Great with seafood. — 4 years ago

Karine, Kathern and 2 others liked this

Channing Daughters

Ramato Pinot Grigio

Possibly hypo allergenic too - big win — 5 years ago

Ata Rangi

Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014

Red and black fruits - cherry. Generally muted on the nose, even the following day. A big Pinot on the palate - it needed to be with curried prawns with plenty of heat. The following day similar notes - a good accompaniment to strong flavoured foods. Medium + savoury notes on the palate , yet to fully blossom, with fine Sandy tannins. A couple more years in the cellar would be beneficial. 99 points from Kiwi wine scribe, Bob Campbell MW. — a year ago

Daniel P., Ming and 14 others liked this

Matua

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Tons of big, bright passionfruit aromas with hints of fresh-squeezed lemon. Perky, bright acidity. Very nice. — 4 years ago

Philip, Alex and 8 others liked this

Greywacke

Kevin Judd Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Wonderful as always! Grapefruit, lemon, kiwifruit, hints of tropical fruits, big acidity, grass & minerals. Balance is spot on! — 4 years ago

Eric, David and 17 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

@Dawn E. Just how I like my Sauv Blanc!
Trixie

Trixie

🥂Enjoy!

Rene Rostaing

La Landonne Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1995

Enjoyed at our friend’s on the Big Island for NYE dinner. Dark and opaque. Rich in the mouth. Notes of black fruit, slate stone, some menthol and some five spice. In a good window. — 2 years ago

Jan, Andrew and 15 others liked this

Dry River

Martinborough Pinot Noir 2013

A cellar release from Dry River I bought a few years ago. Mid to deep crimson with a hint of tawniness. Great intensity - ripe strawberry - liquorice notes - savoury and sweet at the same time. A strange thing to say but it doesn’t scream Pinot Noir. Grainy tannins. Similar experience as with previous Dry River Pinots to be robust, muscular and contained. Following day big and savoury - I stand by yesterday’s note. A great drink but lacks Pinosity. At least Bob Campbell MW liked it giving it 99 points. — 2 years ago

Severn, Ray and 15 others liked this

Te Mata Estate

Coleraine Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009

Generally regarded as New Zealand’s best expression of a left bank Bordeaux blend. This is a dense Ruby red in colour. Aromas of cedar, cassis, mint, leafy and a menthol note - generally classic left bank descriptors. Quite balanced - a medium plus weight palate - medium tannins and acid. Still a good future into the late 20’s or early 2030s. Sam Kim, who is a NZ wine taster and commentator described this wine on release as the greatest wine ever released in New Zealand which was a big call at the time. Bob Campbell MW said “Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this. “ — 4 years ago

Severn, Paul and 19 others liked this