| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2023 |
ScoreNYR |
Drink WindowNYR |
DescriptionCyclone Gabrielle devastated parts of the North Island, while Central Otago had a fairly dry year, yielding promising wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionCyclone Gabrielle devastated parts of the North Island, while Central Otago had a fairly dry year, yielding promising wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2022 |
Score91–94 |
Drink WindowNYR |
DescriptionA slightly warmer season in most areas led to terrific quality; yields were back to normal, making vintners happy (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA slightly warmer season in most areas led to terrific quality; yields were back to normal, making vintners happy (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2021 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionProblems at flowering reduced yields, except in Central Otago, but all regions show above-average quality (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionProblems at flowering reduced yields, except in Central Otago, but all regions show above-average quality (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2020 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe COVID-19 lockdown made for a difficult year, but an ideal growing season resulted in plenty of stunning wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionThe COVID-19 lockdown made for a difficult year, but an ideal growing season resulted in plenty of stunning wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2019 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionNoted for balanced wines across the country after a mostly ideal growing season (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionNoted for balanced wines across the country after a mostly ideal growing season (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2018 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionOne of the warmest growing seasons on record led to low yields and concentrated wines with plenty of character (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionOne of the warmest growing seasons on record led to low yields and concentrated wines with plenty of character (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2017 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA cool, wet year resulted in yields down from 2016, but the smaller crop led to more concentration in some wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA cool, wet year resulted in yields down from 2016, but the smaller crop led to more concentration in some wines (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2016 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA dry season in many regions resulted in intense wines; yields bounced back slightly from 2015 (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA dry season in many regions resulted in intense wines; yields bounced back slightly from 2015 (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2015 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWines show excellent quality and concentration, yet spring frosts limited yields across most regions (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionWines show excellent quality and concentration, yet spring frosts limited yields across most regions (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2014 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA bumper harvest, with excellent wines across the board; particularly exciting in Hawkes Bay (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA bumper harvest, with excellent wines across the board; particularly exciting in Hawkes Bay (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2013 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWines show tremendous concentration and structure, with powerful flavors (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionWines show tremendous concentration and structure, with powerful flavors (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2012 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionOne of the coolest years on record, affecting fruit set and resulting in low yields (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionOne of the coolest years on record, affecting fruit set and resulting in low yields (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2011 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWarm and humid year, with showy wines; less concentrated than 2010 (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionWarm and humid year, with showy wines; less concentrated than 2010 (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2010 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionLow yields, with deep and structured wines; exceptional in Central Otago (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLow yields, with deep and structured wines; exceptional in Central Otago (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2009 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWarm vintage; the best are perfumed and elegant (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionWarm vintage; the best are perfumed and elegant (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2008 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionAbundant crop in all regions; Martinborough wines stand out (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionAbundant crop in all regions; Martinborough wines stand out (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2007 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionMemorable for low yields; deep and complex (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMemorable for low yields; deep and complex (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2006 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionLarge crop, warm growing season; some wines overripe (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLarge crop, warm growing season; some wines overripe (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2005 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSmall crop, cool growing season; dark, concentrated and supple wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSmall crop, cool growing season; dark, concentrated and supple wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2004 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCool year; large crops in Central Otago and Martinborough (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCool year; large crops in Central Otago and Martinborough (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2003 |
Score84 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionAverage quality, but balanced (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionAverage quality, but balanced (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2002 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionEarly, with deep, perfumed and well-balanced wines; best in Central Otago (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionEarly, with deep, perfumed and well-balanced wines; best in Central Otago (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2001 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWarm, large vintage; balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionWarm, large vintage; balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
