The former cover their three different price tiers.
The cheapest — sometimes even sub $20 on promo.
The mid-tier GG range, including their tilt at this Spanish variety.
Their top level is up there price-wise, but justifiably so.
With pinots we have one that fits the bill price-wise for weekday drinking (likely sub $25 on promo), and two Marlborough examples that, in a world of incessant price increases, seem to be holding the line.
2021 Trinity Hill Prison Block Gimblett Gravels cabernet sauvignon
Rating: Outstanding
Wonderful fragrant, a surge
of blackcurrant, smoke,
dusty gravels, crushed leaf
perfume, draws you back
for more, hints of cigar box
too. The palate continues
the theme, depth of
flavour without heaviness.
Blackcurrant & tomato leaf
notes swell with the cassis
fruit, tobacco, deceptive
tannins and fresh acidity.
Mouthwatering, gorgeous
and huge potential.
2022 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels tempranillo
Rating: Excellent
Ripe fruits leap from the
glass, a ‘come hither’
quality, schisty, oak scents,
generosity. Again, bold red
fruits, ripe yet not overtly
sweet, tilled earth notes,
baking spices, warmth yet
with tangy refreshness
reminiscent of
greengage plum. Rich
and supple mid-palate
while that zesty finish
keeps it fresh.
2022 Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay merlot
Rating: Very good to excellent
Cassis, plum, cocoa powder,
minerality. A medium-bodied
frame provides the platform
for the sweet fruit & oak to
shine, a touch of toasted
coconut, developing a
grapy aspect with
aeration. Fruit to the fore
here yet the tingly acidity
keeps this lively & bright.
Well made and clearly
meant to be enjoyed over
the next year or two.
2022 Babydoll Central Otago pinot noir
Rating: Very good to excellent
Sweet fruit takes centre
stage, strawberry dusted
with icing sugar, shifting to
berryfruits and tar. Full in the
mouth backed by chewy,
almost grainy tannins, that
backbone of sweet
berryfruit and cherry
melding with wild herb,
adding an almondy
bittersweet touch on the
close. Savoury with time,
very much showing its
youthful side, bright, a
nice choice with food.
2021 St Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block pinot noir
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Leads with an earthy quality,
leafy elements, loganberry,
roast beetroot, swelling
perfume, beguiling subtlety.
The palate extends the
leafy, herbal theme, an
undercurrent of darker
fruits and cherry, forest
floor like earthiness
appearing with a fresh,
zesty finish. A delicious,
almost lip-smacking
aspect adds to the close.
Not "in your face", but
superb balance.
2022 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough pinot noir
Rating: Excellent
A subtle yet engaging
fragrance leads, backed by red
fruits, forest floor and herbs.
Nicely mouthfilling, riffing on
those red fruits, earth, forest
floor and spices, ripe yet
dry. It’s pale colour deceives
as there’s deceptive power
here yet it’s all about
balance and integration
with a lovely, long, long
engaging close. Opens up
nicely with time, not at all
forced but effortless.
