Bob McDonald

9.3

Pale crimson, translucent in colour. Will continue if this is accepted. Aromatics of red cherry, beetroot and Sous Bois. Ripe and rich on the palate. All things considered this is a classic Bass Phillip Estate. Still remains one of Australia’s best Pinot Noirs, now under the control of Burgundian, Jacques Fourrier. This wine was made by the founder, Phillip Jones. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See several previous Delectable notes on this wine and vintage. A pale crimson colour with tawny garnet shades. Aromatics of red fruits (strawberry) and Sous Bois on the nose. It may be pale in colour but carries a Medium plus palate intensity of good length. A very good 2nd wine from Bell Hill from the Canterbury district (just to the north of Christchurch) which deserves more recognition as a source of high quality Pinot Noir. Also referred to as the Waipara District. — 2 years ago

Kelley Raymond

9.0

Too vanilla and sweet - one of Anne’s fav — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A striking dark murky crimson red color. On the nose: candied blueberry/plum, menthol, eucalyptus, new leather, baked brownie brittle. Taste: silky smooth mouth coating/teeth staining wine with dark cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate espresso, and a peppery herbaceous cedar medium plus finish. 1st time sipping this wine and will have to find me some more. Nice mid week pick me up! — 4 years ago

with Brenda

Jeremy.Buss

9.0

Have to say I like the 2014 vintage better but guessing this will get even better with age. Very good representation of KS wine! — 4 years ago

Aravind A

9.8

Popped, 1.5 hrs slow ox. Used a Durand to open, and the cork was probably penetrated 7/8 of the way through with a soft crimson hue, but probably could have opened this with a regular corkscrew. A sublime bottle of wine. I adore this BDX vintage, and this btl was no exception. Pitch perfect aromas of soft cedar, charcoal, smoke, dries bluberry and raspberry. Gorgeous on the palate, with a still present juicy acidic core, lovely density, waves of dried fruit, secondary and tertiary flavors and a very soft tannic finish. — 5 years ago

with Peter

Bob McDonald

9.8

A generous gift from Dr Mark for my Cabernet Tasting. Sure it’s a wine which will live for decades more, but it is also a treat to try it at 24 years of age if you get the chance. From the excellent 1996 vintage. A rich dark crimson in colour - dense - hinting at the opulence to come. Aromatic heady perfumes with ripe black fruits, cedar and violets. The palate was rich and decadent and very long - full bodied with silky smooth tannins. What an experience! Sublime. A few bottles in the cellar would be nice. — 6 years ago

Kevin Kaley

9.1

Had a 2nd bottle of this delightful Cab. A fantastic recommendation by the gentlemen at Central Market. Fruity, fresh and smooth. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid to pale crimson - actually transparent. The pale colour belies the aromatic and palate intensity. Aromatics of cherry and raspberry transforming on to the medium bodied sweet red fruited palate. A touch of Sous Bois. An excellent Pinot as always from the Applejack Vineyard from Giant Steps. — 7 months ago

Alyssa Cady

10

Fruity, great body, not too sweet or acidic. Will explode upon opening, be warned. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

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. — 4 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.3

Apropos for Halloween!!! A dark blood crimson color. Nose — fills the senses with blackberry-cassis fruit, classic Bordeaux aged perfume and earthy notes followed by a slight barnyard funk, chard cedar wood and toasted vanilla. Taste - red cherry plum and cedar with pepper spices, and a jammy graphite mineral dry long finish. A medium bodied wine with the tannins still present giving it more years to age and surprising new flavors that can develop. Happy Halloween 🎃 ! Luv the label!!! — 5 years ago

with Jill and Karin

Tom Garland

9.4

2 hour decant (decent chunky/cloudy sedimeny). A splended dark crimson color with some bricking. On the nose: very fragrant nose that burst with dark plum, stewed meat, raspberry, pine, cedar, spice, and forest floor. Taste: rich, creamy, fresh medium plus body wine with dark berries, that COS spice, earth, tobacco, pencil lead, and a smokey chocolate coffee long finish. Good depth, balance, and complexity...in its drinking window with a long life ahead of it!! — 5 years ago

with Brenda

Erica Gamble

9.5

Deep red. Dark fruit transitions to light spice and dusty cocoa, with a tannic dry finish. Fantastic wine. — 6 months ago

with Ryan

Carter White

9.1

So consistent — 10 months ago

Tom Garland

9.2

2017 Wine Spectator #1 wine of the year.

Hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A majestic dark crimson color. On the nose: beautiful notes of cherry, vanilla Graham crackers, floral, mint. Taste: smooth, creamy, balanced wine with a little dark plum, dark chocolate, graphite, pepper, and a medium dry oaky tar finish. YUM! unfortunately my last bottle, though I would drink em if you got em, seems to be at the end of its peak. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Sheena Kwon

9.3

Sweet and easy red wine to drink as table wine. Really liked it surprisingly and was very affordable . — 4 years ago

Meg Herring

9.0

From Magnum — Bruised apple. Some signs of aging. Should improve. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mid to light crimson in colour. Red fruited, cherry and strawberry, and light spice - a touch of Sous Bois. Surprisingly light in palate weight - more fruit than savoury driven. Tastes a lot younger (and fresher) than 7 years of age. A sweetish jujube character on the palate - light tannins and acid. The following night, a stewed rhubarb character on the palate. In summary a very good new world Pinot if not a little on the light side. — 5 years ago

Monica Strazzante

9.0

Had this with trout and it was delicious! — 5 years ago