Just ten days out from the big day – a large box of mystery wines landed from laithwaites.co.nz. Of course, it is my job to open them all and produce tasting notes – so although it’s all very professional and ‘work, work, work’ I have to say that it’s not a bad way to spend a sunny early summer’s day either! I don’t have any say in what arrives, so you might think it a slight surprise to be looking a red-heavy selection – but with lots of entertaining and fairly rich food ahead in the silly season… I can see the logic.
Here’s what I thought of what The Laithwaites elves had packed up for me…
Moonlake Riesling 2024
A crisp, fresh, aromatic style from the Clare Valley – a region that makes world-class Riesling. Aimed squarely at drinkability and purity without sweetness or heaviness. It leans heavily into citrus flavours of lime and lemon, but there’s also green apple and a bright jasmine floral note to the bouquet. A chalky minerality adds to the light texture through the palate, but the agile nature doesn’t detract from bags of flavour. A dry finish is mouth-watering and lengthy. 92pts
Greenstone Ridge Series Riesling 2024
A modern expression of Riesling. Quite dry to taste, with a crisp set of aromas featuring lemongrass, green apple, grapefruit and lime cordial on the nose. Tight and concentrated in the palate, with a signature line of acidity featuring prominently, and giving great length. Lively and intense throughout, before a dry, clean finish. 91pts
Trimboli Saverio Pecorino 2025
Hailing from Adelaide in South Australia, this is a fresh, New World take on the Italian Pecorino grape, and it’s made in a very drink-now, vibrant style. If you like Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, or Albariño, you’ll probably love this. Light to medium-bodied with a very refreshing acidity, it showcases flavours in the tropical and stone fruit spectrum. The creamy texture and minerality come from ageing on lees, and there’s a smudge of oak there too. 91pts
Halt ’n Run Chardonnay 2025
Starting with aromas of zesty lemon, white peach, grapefruit and melon with a gentle almond and vanilla undertone. A fresh, juicy Chardonnay compared to those heavy, old-school buttery ones of years ago. There is a subtle, light toast from oak and a fine creaminess on the mid-palate but brisk acidity keeps it lively and moving along. The smooth, rounded texture leads to a mid-length finish with a hint of butterscotch. 89pts
Patronus ‘The Antler’ Grenache 2023
Perfumed with red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, a touch of white pepper, cinnamon spice and rose petal and violet florals. A fragrant, juicy red wine with soft tannins and a saline acidity. It sits somewhere between Pinot Noir and the weightier reds you’d expect from South Australia. The use of American oak gives a smoky, nutty layer. The ripe plushness of the fruit forms the core of the wine and lasts to a glossy, spicy finish. 90pts
Greenstone Ridge Series Shiraz 2024
A lush fruit-forward Shiraz from Victoria using Australia’s ‘signature grape’. Dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry appear in the bouquet, mingling with dark chocolate, black pepper, mint and dried herb notes. The palate is medium-bodied, rounded and generous, with a spine that is a balance of soft tannin, toasty oak and integrated acidity. Savoury notes of peat, tapenade and truffle await as the wine opens up with a good swirl. 90pts
Dark Corner Durif Shiraz 2025
A bold, deeply-coloured red made for lovers of rich, powerful wines. It’s very much a full-throttle dark and intense glassful. Built around Durif’s flamboyant ripeness, with Shiraz adding spice and approachability. The inkily dark colour in the glass has dark flavours to match – black plum, blackberry, liquorice, pepper and cocoa in the palate. Oak, tannin and acidity are all in alignment and supporting that plush fruit. There’s a distinctive mocha note at the finish, which is long and spicy. 90pts
The Old River Gum Cabernet Shiraz 2024
From South Australia – and what is a classic Aussie blend of these two varietals. In some ways it is the quintessential pairing that represents big reds from this part of the country. Fruit-forward but the palate shows great balance and structure, with smooth tannins from Shiraz, and some grip from Cabernet. Blueberry, blackcurrant, eucalypt and raspberry flavours. Approachable, versatile and lively – you could have a glass of this with lunch right through to dinner, but it is perfect for the BBQ. 89pts
Il Papavero Primitivo 2023
Puglia in the south of Italy is a goldmine of deep, bruising reds, with Primitivo (which means ‘early ripening’) as the pin-up poster star. The Primitivo grape is genetically the same as Zinfandel. The bouquet has red cherry, blackberry, liquorice, peppercorn and dried herbs. Quite hearty and plump, but not heavy, and not too hard to understand – just very satisfying. The pepper shows up again in the juicy finish. Food-friendly and drinking well now – not one for the cellar. 89pts
Wolf Point Carménère 2024
A rare varietal for New Zealand customers – there is very little planted here; but the Valle Central region of Chile is the best-known source elsewhere in the world. It sits stylistically between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, but with a spicy personality of its own. Raspberry, blackcurrant and bramble, with savoury notes of capsicum, white pepper, paprika and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied, with pliant tannin and a subtle spiciness. 88pts
Vashon Estate Malbec 2023
Sourced from the Langhorne Creek region of South Australia, here is a Malbec whose main focus is plenty of plush fruit. Damson, cassis, elderberry and boysenberry flavours are wedded to a smoky spice whilst soft tannins sit in a mellow, comfortable palate that is rounded and plump. Robust and substantial, it would stand up to some bold flavours, and I would be tempted to choose this to go with a steak for dinner. 90pts
Marauding Vintners ‘Capt. Cabernet’ 2023
It is a treat to have such a ‘typical’ Cabernet Sauvignon character in your glass – from the blackcurrant, pencil shavings, capsicum, damson and lavender, to a delicious herbal ‘mintiness’. Quite elegant rather than jammy, but that’s not to say there isn’t a wealth of ripe dark berry fruit. A tight core of grippy tannin takes centre stage, and there’s enough oak to place a solid frame around the fruit. A perfect weeknight red or casual dinner wine. 91pts
Fossilbed Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
A deep, glossy purple-black colour in the glass. Heady aromas of plum and blackcurrant are complimented by the baking spice, cedar, vanilla and dried herb notes. Full-bodied and well-structured with dusty tannin and a toasty oak richness forming the spine. A dense core of dark fruit adds sweetness to the savoury edge of black olive and cigar box. 92pts
The Comeback Kid Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The Clare Valley has a long history of great Cabernet, and this example has a balance of structure, ripeness and approachability. It will appeal to Cabernet lovers who enjoy richness without it being overly heavy. At 14.5% alcohol it packs a juicy punch, and the french oak used adds a spicy, almost chocolatey density. The tannin is firm, but the zesty acidity keeps things on the right side of being too serious. 90pts
Fire & Foal Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
South Africa makes a wide range of very good quality – and value – wines. This one comes from the Western Cape region and shows a mix of Old World elegance and New World fruit intensity. Good Cabernet character and typicity – fruit-driven yet structured through the palate. An earthy terracotta and loam layer adds interest to the dark, black berry and currant fruits. A smooth texture leads into a classic drying finish of excellent length. 91pts
