OCTOBER 2020 WINE REVIEWS – NEW RELEASES by Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Johner Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Wairarapa 91 pts 4.5 Stars
Pristine and brightly expressed, the bouquet shows apricot, green rockmelon, lemon zest and fresh fig characters, leading to a flavoursome palate delivering excellent fruit intensity and length. It’s juicy and lingering with plenty of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2023.
Johner Estate Rosé 2020 Gladstone 93pts 5 Stars
It’s fabulously ripe and inviting on the nose showing rockmelon, watermelon, citrus peel and raspberry notes, leading to a succulent palate that’s flavoursome and persistent. The wine offers youthful charm and refreshing mouthfeel, making it immediately appealing. At its best: now to 2022.
Johner Estate Riesling Light 2020 Gladstone 93pts 5 Stars
Fresh and elegant, this gorgeous riesling shows kaffir lime, Granny Smith apple, white floral and subtle flinty notes on the nose. It’s impressively focused and finely expressed on the palate, offering gentle sweetness backed by racy acidity, finishing long and delectably appealing. Style: Medium. 8.5% ABV. At its best: now to 2028. $20.00.
Johner Estate Syrah 2019 Gladstone 90pts 4.5 Stars
Bright and lifted, the beautifully fragrant bouquet shows dark plum, raspberry, floral and olive characters with a hint of pepper spice. It’s juicy and supple on the palate, offering elegant weight and flowing mouthfeel, making it smooth and pleasingly dry. At its best: now to 2025. $29.00.
Johner Estate Pinot Noir 2019 Wairarapa 93pts 5 Stars
Sweetly fruited and beautifully complex, the bouquet shows dark cherry, roasted nut, dark mushroom and mixed spice aromas, followed by a gorgeously supple palate that’s succulent and lingering. It’s elegant yet flavoursome with silky texture and polished tannins. At its best: now to 2025. $26.00.
Johner Estate Pinot Noir 2018 Gladstone 94pts 5 Stars
This is immensely complex and engaging, showing spiced cherry, dried herb, cedar, game and olive characters on the nose. The palate exhibits wonderful concentration and depth, well complemented by velvety texture and fine grainy tannins. Multi-layered and seductively appealing. At its best: now to 2028.
Pinot Noir Gladstone
- GOLD – NZ International Wine Show
Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa 2018 – Silver Medal
- NZ International Wine Show
Pinot Noir Reserve 2016 – Silver Medal
- NZ International Wine Show
Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Gold Ribbon
- Bob Campbell MW
Chardonnay 2018 – Silver Ribbon
- Bob Campbell MW
Methode Traditionnelle 2016 – Silver Ribbon
- Bob Campbell MW
Sauvignon Blanc Sur-Lie 2017 – 4 Stars
- Raymond Chan
Noble Pinot Noir 2017 – 4 Stars
- Raymond Chan
Riesling 2017 – 4 Stars
- Cuisine Magazine
- Bob Campbell MW
Pinot Noir Gladstone Reserve 2015
- 5* Raymond Chan
- 4.5* Michael Cooper
Pinot Noir Gladstone Reserve 2014
- Decanter Magazine highly recommended
- Bob Campbell (MW) 95 points
- Cameron Douglas (Master Sommelier) 95 points
- 5* Michael Cooper
Pinot Noir Gladstone 2015
- 4* Micheal Cooper
Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2015
- Silver Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show
Cabernet Merlot Lyndor 2011
- 4* Michael Cooper
Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa 2016
- 4* Michael Cooper
Pinot Gris 2017
- 4* Raymond Chan
- 4* Michel Cooper
Riesling 2016
- 4* Michael Cooper
- 4* Raymond Chan
- Bronze Medal – New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition
