Matariki

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Matariki 1997 Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay & Waipara)

Price $23

Here’s a fruity Chard that smacks of terroir. Not a lot of oak, but the perfectly ripe grapes suggest green apple, peach, smoke and Asian spices. Hard to find a tastier Chard anywhere. Such ripeness, and a stony, mineral note. High acidity makes it refreshing. Worth a search. — S.H. (8/1/1999)

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Matariki 2001 Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay)

Best Buy

Price $15

Smells lush and opulent, almost like a barrel-fermented wine, and it’s astonishing that the wine never saw oak. The evocative fruity flavors are extravagant and juicy, ranging from fresh lime to ripe peaches. Drinks dry, yet with a honeyed ripeness, accompanied by a great burst of mouthwatering acidity. — S.H. (11/15/2002)

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Matariki 1999 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay)

Price $25

A rich, lush blend of tropical and stone fruits, partially barrel-fermented to add a creamy texture and subtle spice notes. Seductive and supple in the mouth but with a solid backbone of acidity that keeps it from turning soft or mushy. — J.C. (5/1/2001)

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Matariki 1999 Gimblett Road Syrah (Hawke's Bay)

Price $30

Fine cool-climate Syrah, with characteristic cracked-black-pepper aromas and ample acidic backbone to support rich blackberry fruit. Tannins are firm, but ripe. Not a fat, jammy style at all, but based on structure and spicy nuance. — J.C. (5/1/2001)

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Matariki 2004 Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay)

Price $18

This Sauvignon has moved toward a grassier style in recent vintages, but it’s still darn good. Lime and herb notes dominate the nose, but it adds just enough chalk and grapefruit nuances on the palate to give it needed complexity. Plump yet crisply acidic at the same time, ending on racy grapefruit notes that finish without any trace of harshness. — J.C. (7/1/2005)

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Matariki 1999 Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)

Price $22

A lush wine, filled with ripe pears and nectarines. Barrel-fermented in all new French oak, yet the richness of the fruit is such that the oak plays only a supporting role on the spicy, toasty finish. — J.C. (5/1/2001)

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Matariki 2001 Syrah (Hawke's Bay)

Price $30

Shows the characteristic herbal and peppery notes of Rhône-style Syrah, accenting crisp blackberry fruit. Complex on the palate, wrapping the herbs and peppers tightly around rich fruit to the point that they’re really inseparable. — J.C. (4/1/2004)

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Matariki 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Hawke's Bay)

Matariki’s Reserve Cab boasts true varietal notes of mint and cassis upfront, then turns intense and chocolaty on the palate. There’s a hint of capsicum, but it’s largely hidden by bold lashings of oak. Could age decently, but there’s no real reason to defer gratification. — J.C. (6/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Designations

Aspire Gimblett Road Late Harvest Quintology Reserve

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Noir Red Blend Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Syrah

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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