All ratings based on 5-point scale.

Sauvignon Blanc

1. Villa Maria Reserve 2016 — Tasts same as regular, twice $ of regular, bought in supermarket. Rating: 2.5
2. Elephant Hill 2015 — Big nose, juicy but green, too acidic. Rating: 2.3 (In fairness, Hawke’s Bay not known for whites)
3. Oyster Bay — A little sour. Rating:  2.5
   Dog Point — Okay. Rating: 2.6
4. Spy Valley (Marlborough) 2017 — A little buttery, a portion of each bottle is fermented in oak. Cynthia would drink again. Rating: 3.0
5. Zephyr (Marlborough) — Nice but a little sour after the finish. Rating: 2.8
6. Wither Hills Barrel Ferment 2016 — a keeper. Less acidic than most other NZ SBs we’ve tasted. Rating: 3.0
7. Allan Scott Estate Range Marlborough 2017 — Macs and us all thought too sour. Rating 2.5

Gewurtztraminer

Spy Valley ‘16 — Sweet. Rating: 1.0

Shiraz

Moana Park Estate 2016 — Raw, sharp, not a great finish. Rating: 2.5*

Syrah

1. Elephant Hill Syrah 2015 — aged 13 months, woody nose, a bit chemical but good. Rating: 2.9.
2. Elephant Hill Reserve Syrah 2015 — Aged 17-19 months, contains 1% Viognier, much smoother, rounder finish. Rating: 3.1
3. Trinity Hill Syrah 2016 (Hawkes Bay) — Nice nose, medium pepper and spice. Rating: 2.9.

Pinot Noir

1. Tohu 2016 — From Marlborough better than what we took to Wisker’s, lacks the finesse of David Bruce or Domaine Serene. Rating: 2.5
   Lake Hayes ‘15 — Thin, no plum, no finish. Rating: 2.2
2. Roaring Meg ‘14 — Recommended by Carol, pleasant, not quite as full as Rabbit Ranch. Rating: 2.6
3. Rabbit Ranch ‘16 — Recommended by Carol, pleasant, light, slight finish. Rating: 2.7
4. Elephant Hill Pinot Central Otago 2016 — Like most NZ Pinots lacks the full plumb flavor and seems thin compared to David Bruce or Domaine Serene. Rating: 2.5
5. Wither Hills Taylor River 2015 — A single vineyard somewhat dry red but the most flavor of any NZ pinot. Rating: 2.9
6. Allan Scott Base Central Otago 2016 — Macs and us liked it but thought it rough and a bit thin. Rating: 2.7

Chardonnay

1. Elephant Hill 2015 — Not oaky but too much acid. Rating: 2.2
2. Greenhough Hope Nelson Vineyard 2015 — Roberta really liked this one. Rating: 3.2

Bubbly

1. Allan Scott Cecilia Rose Methode Traditionelle NV — Nice, slightly sweet. Rating: 2.6

Rose

1. Allan Scott Base Rose Central Otago 2017 — Good, slightly sweet. Rating 2.6
2. Clearview Blush —

Gruner Veltliner

1. Wither Hills Rarangi 2015 — grassy. Rating: 2.6

Pinot Gris

1. Wither Hills Kuranui 2017 — A loaf of fruits and spices, a bit too grapey in the finish. Rating: 2.6
2. Te Tasha Martinborough Stables Reserve Ngatawara 2016 — Too acidic at first taste and a slender finish. Rating: 2.5
3. Allan Scott Estate Range Marlborough 2017 — Nicely full and/but a little sweet. Rating: 2.7

Cabernet Sauvignon

1. Clearview Estate Old Olive Block 2016 — a Hawke’s Bay (Te Awanga) blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (from Gimblett Road area), Malbec and Cabernet franc. Rating: 3.6

Cabernet/Merlot

1. Awatea Te Mata 2015 — Really nice, full, not acidic and quickly accessible. Rating 3.4

Cheeses

1. Galactic Gold (Over the Moon Dairy in Putaruru) — smooth, creamy, medium strength blue. Rating: 4.2
2. Windsor Vintage (Whitestone in Damaru) — an Epoisse. Rating: 4.4