New Zealand Wines
The land most Americans came to know via The Lord of the Rings is home to some great wines as well as spectacular scenery. Sauvignon Blanc is grown in most New Zealand wine regions, but is especially notable in Marlborough, where it makes wines that set the New World standard for that variety. Other grape varieties commonly grown in New Zealand include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot.
Wine Enthusiast’s New Zealand wine guide features thousands of New Zealand wine reviews from all over the country, including Hawkes Bay and Martinborough on the North Island and Marlborough, Nelson, Waipara and Central Otago on the South Island. Search our Buying Guide to find New Zealand wine ratings from all of your favorite producers.
Te Kairanga 2001 Sauvignon Blanc (Martinborough)
- Best Buy
- $14
Unusually lush, even for this vintage, it starts with pronounced aromas of limes and lemons, fresh green apples, and juniper berries, and turns luscious in the mouth. Partial barrel fermentation and lees aging create a creamy, smoky mouthfeel, while the fruity flavors are volcanic. But it’s dry and elegant. Virtually flawness Sauvignon Blanc.
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
Villa Maria 2001 Clifford Bay Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
- $29
Opens with a powerful explosion of lime, grass, gooseberry and apple aromas. In the mouth, it shows the fantastic concentration and extraction of an atom bomb, yet it’s balanced, complex and harmonious. It’s quite dry, with extraordinarily high acidity.
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
Te Mata 2007 Coleraine Red (Hawke's Bay)
- Cellar Selection
Simply put, this is one of New Zealand’s flagship reds, and it is a shame it is no longer being imported to the U.S. Lifted hints of dried flowers and herbs impart great complexity to the aromas, and the wine’s cassis, cedar and chocolate flavors come across as intense without being overbearing. This is firmly structured, with plentiful but fine tannins. Drink…
— J.C.
(6/1/2010)
Neudorf 2009 Moutere Chardonnay (Nelson)
- $45
A top-notch offering, this combines ample weight and richness with an impression of focus and purity. It’s smoky and subtly toasty on the nose, seamlessly marrying those notes with apple, peach and citrus flavors. Long, lingering and very fine on the finish. Drink now–2017.
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Craggy Range 2009 Le Sol Syrah (Hawke's Bay)
- $90
Full bodied, creamy in texture and long on the finish, the 2009 Le Sol is the complete package. Blackberry fruit is accented by cracked pepper and vanilla, but closer examination reveals hints of black olive and coffee as well. The tannins are exquisitely silky on the finish, where the fruit comes to the fore. Drink now–2020.
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Sacred Hill 2009 Deerstalkers Syrah (Hawke's Bay)
Full bodied and richly textured, this starts off with jammy mixed-berry aromas framed by cedar, vanilla and a touch of pepper, but the palate shows even more complexity and savory characters, hinting at meat, olive and clove. Long and velvety on the finish, the 2009 Deerstalkers is a compelling example of Hawke’s Bay Syrah
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Dog Point 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
- Editors' Choice
- $22
Complex on the nose and richly textured in the mouth, this wine delivers it all. Hints of struck flint and wild onion accent grapefruit aromas, while the flavors range easily from pink grapefruit and red currant to delicate herb shadings. It’s full without being too full, with a potent yet refreshing finish that seemingly lingers forever.
— J.C.
(8/1/2012)
Escarpment 2003 Kupe Pinot Noir (Martinborough)
- $60
Impressively big, rich and well extracted, with bold black cherry flavors, but also complex hints of cinnamon and other spices, floral notes and a pleasant herbal tinge to the softly tannic finish. Approachable now, but probably better in 3–4 years. Just 500 cases produced. Imported by Meadowbank Estates.
— J.C.
(12/1/2005)
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