Esk Valley
Showing 1 thru -8 of 8
Esk Valley 2002 Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay)
- Editors' Choice
- $19
Hawke’s Bay is on the North Island of NZ, slightly warmer than Marlborough, and thus yielding wines that tend to be less pungently herbaceous. Ripe fruit and a proportion of barrel fermentation give this wine a plump, creamy texture, flavors of nectarines and passion fruit and just a pinch of fresh herbs. Editors’ Choice.
— J.C.
(9/1/2003)
Esk Valley 2002 Riesling (Hawke's Bay)
- $19
Austere and minerally, not exactly what you’d expect from a "warm" part of New Zealand. Some green apple and lime aromas lead into a refreshing palate laden with Green Gage plums. It’s lean and wiry, a firmly structured wine that finishes long and minerally.
— J.C.
(8/1/2003)
Esk Valley 2010 Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)
- Editors' Choice
- $20
This is a lush, creamy-textured wine, redolent of roasted cashews and grilled pineapple. It’s toward the full-bodied side of the spectrum for New Zealand Chardonnay, but retains ample complexity in its interplay of nuts and citrus, with a hint of peach on the long finish. Drink now.
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Esk Valley 2001 Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay)
- $19
Hawkes Bay is typically slightly warmer than Marlborough and its Sauvignons less green; this one bucks the trend, showing green bell pepper, herbs and lime, layered with warm apricot fruit. Lacks only a little cut to elevate it into the 90s, but that same softness makes it very approachable and easy to enjoy.
— W.E.
(8/1/2002)
Esk Valley 2000 Reserve Red (Hawke's Bay)
- $40
This wine is closed up tight right now, only stubbornly offering up whiffs of herbs and toast. But the flavors are more impressive, with pure cassis augmented by toast and vanilla. It’s fairly rich and powerful, and the herbal element is well under control. Try in 2005.
— J.C.
(12/15/2003)
Esk Valley 2002 Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)
- $15
This Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay shows the warmer climate of that region in its ripe, plump flavors of stone fruits backed by hints of honey and smoke. It’s a pleasingly harmonious rendition of Chardonnay from a region known more for its red wines.
— J.C.
(9/1/2003)
Esk Valley 2009 Gimblett Gravels Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec Red (Hawke's Bay)
- $20
This is a solid example of a Hawke’s Bay blended red, combining leafy cassis fruit with hints of cherry and tobacco. It’s medium bodied and moderately tannic, turning tart and crisp on the finish. Drink now–2015.
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Esk Valley 2000 Red (Hawke's Bay)
- $15
This wine shows substantially less ripeness than the Reserve, with earth and tobacco aromas and flavors dominating the black cherry fruit. Finishes peppery, picking up coffee notes.
— J.C.
(12/15/2003)
Showing 1 thru -8 of 8
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