Jeremiah Diaz

8.9

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with medium intensity primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, bellpepper, and graphite; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and medium intensity primary and secondary flavors of cassis, black pepper, camphor, and blueberries with a medium finish. This wine is balanced and complex. Overall, I rate this wine as good. — a month ago

Elizabeth S.

9.8

Very opaque and dark. Feels like a good blend of deep and complex but not overly tanniny — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting. Savory and juicy. — 5 years ago

Michael Lavely

9.0

Very fruity, long finish absolute black cherry. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Earthy aromas with ripe plum notes - a very Otago nose albeit in the lighter spectrum. Same notes transfer to the medium bodied sappy palate. Not as full bodied as I was expecting. Quite Burgundian in weight and texture. Made by the equally earthy Nick Mills, owner and winemaker who made his presentation at Pinot NZ 2018 in Wellington in bare feet. Rippon is biodynamic and chemical free. I subsequently had a nice chat with him - a genuine bloke. Must be one of the prettiest vineyard scenes anywhere in the world sloping up from Lake Wanaka. Whilst this is classed as Central Otago this is not as full bodied as the Bannockburn/Felton Road district. — 6 years ago

Emily Colonna

9.5

Olivia’s recommendation, lovely. Roughly $30 a bottle $14 a glass at the Dock — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous note from January 2023. Pepper Liquorice and Raspberry. Savoury and full bodied on the palate. Such density despite the drinking window describing this as “Old”. 2011 to 2028. I see this as having many years to go. Riper having blackberry and not as much pepper as you would expect because of this warmer vintage. The vineyards were originally planted in 1964, establishing this as one of Australia’s leaders in cool climate Shiraz. It has always been one of my favourite Australian Reds. Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year for 2011 as voted by the Good Wine Guide. 98 points from Nick Stock. — 3 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

Ed did a great job on this one — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting! This one was meaty and elegant, my #2 of the group. — 5 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry preserves, blackberry, currant, vanilla, dark chocolate and oak. Full-bodied and moderate tannins. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Words “Anam Cara” are Celtic for “friend of my soul.” Nick and Sheila have made wines since planting grapes in 2001. Pale lemon with aromatic aromas of ripe tropical, stone & citrus fruits. On the palate tart apple and melon flavors, with a crisp citrus tang. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity with rich ending. Drinking well now. Nice value. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Drank this last Sunday for Mother’s Day. Arras is probably Australia’s best Sparkling producer. Of recent years certainly the most awarded. A few years ago this 2007 won Best Sparkling at the Royal Queensland Wine Show and then the Trophy for Champion Wine of the Show! The wine itself is mid Lemon in colour - low on fizz - we drank this from Burgundy glasses. Bakery aromas with Lemon Curd. 78% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir. The lemon/citrus flavours derived from the Chardonnay. The following day Sherbet, Honeycomb and Quince. 7 years on Lees giving a wonderful complexity and ridiculous value at only $60. I don’t know how Ed Carr can do it. — 6 years ago

Chris Sowick

9.0

Garagiste selection. $19.84. Floral tones, smooth tannins. Enjoyable blend. — 4 years ago

Desiree

9.1

Nick and Tonya — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

Six Pinots, all made by Ed Kurtzman, of August West and Roar fame who also consults to Freeman and Mansfield Dunn. Ed joined our tasting. I loved the meatiness of this and it was my #1. — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

Lineup of seven reds before our tasting of Sonoma Coast Pinots. Love Ed Kurtzman’s wines: Abv 14.4% — 5 years ago

Rachel Wells

9.4

This is my new favorite $10 wine — 6 years ago

Sarah Reis

9.4

Very fruity and smooth. For adams bday dinner at Chives 2020 — 6 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.3

Ed knows how to extract brilliance from Rosella fruit! — 7 years ago

Tyson Escoto

9.4

I’ve never evaluated vodka, but it smells like candy corn. And it’s delightful. Especially when tasted against a wheat vodka which just smells like rubbing alcohol. On its own this is a great sipping vodka with a beautiful rich soft mouthfeel — 8 years ago