Church Road 2010 Reserve Merlot Cabernet

Varieties: Merlot (49.5%), Cabernet Sauvignon (50.5%)
Region: Hawkes Bay, NZ
Colour: Dark purple
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Ripe fruit. Regular cherry and blackcurrant aromas. 
Flavour: Sweet tasting fruit (in the New World style) according to the nose. Medium bodied although a little light in the mid palate. Very mild tannin.
Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)
Notes: $AU37.00 ~ 740 Kc

Elephant Hill 2010 Syrah

Variety: Syrah
Region: Hawkes Bay, NZ
Colour: Dark purple
Alcohol: 13.1%
Bouquet: Peppery nose with dark plum flesh in the background
Flavour: A nice balance of dark plums, plum skins and white pepper. Solid fruit but a little short in the finish.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)
Notes: $NZ34.00 ~ 570 Kc

Valli 2010 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, NZ
Colour: Purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Wet cow (animal tones) with hints of bramble and concentrated fruit (cherry?)
Flavour: Strong sour cherry flavours contained by good acidity, with very mild tannins through to a good finish. Elegant.
Points: 88 (2+8+13+7+8+50)
Notes: An excellent Pinot. $AUD 60.00 ~ 1,200 Kc

Quartz 2011 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, NZ
Colour: Purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Wet barn aromas. Restrained nose.
Flavour: Very mild in the mouth with a soft combination of brambles (sticks), sour cherry and tannins present. A little too sour for me at the end.
Points: 83 (2+8+11+6+6+50)
Notes: $NZ40.00 ~ 670 Kc

Mt Difficulty 2011 Bannockburn Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, NZ
Colour: Purple with a slightly orange hue. Looks like a Cab.
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Dusty/dry earth aromas with hints of sour cherry in the background
Flavour: Fruity - plums and mulberrys - with very nice length. Light tannins coat the tongue. Not overly complex.
Points: 84 (2+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: The nose was better than the flavour. $NZ45 ~ 750 Kc

Trout Valley 2012 Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Nelson, NZ
Colour: Silvery Yellow
Alcohol: ? %
Bouquet: Just ripe peach and lemon bud aromas
Flavour: Lovely. Some Christmas spice (cinnamon,clove) with red apple and pear skin flavours. Very nice balance, medium body and length. 
Points: 86 (3+6+12+8+7+50)
Notes: $NZ 18 ~ 300 Kc. A lot in this wine and will be really nice to taste after a couple of years to see how it develops. The sixth and last of the whites tasted at the NZ wine event.

Wither Hills 2012 Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, NZ
Colour: Silvery Yellow
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: White peach aromas
Flavour: Ripe, fleshy fruit flavours of peach and pear with requisite mineral nuances as well. Nice length.
Points: 83 (3+6+11+7+6+50)
Notes: Nice wine lacking a wow factor. $AU17.00 ~ 340 Kc