93 Wine Enthusiast

The “village” label from this renowned Auckland-based estate is open and perfumed with aromas of plump berries, plum, dried herbs and floral soap. Tangy blue and black fruit leads on the palate. It's quietly powerful with taut, fine tannins. Succulent enough to drink now, it's structured to age until 2028, at least.

92 Decanter

Like biting into a ripe red cherry, this unoaked Pinot emphasises youthful sweet prettiness, but is kept from being confected by fresh raspberry acidity, sappy fruit tannins and a savoury leafy edge. Exceptional value; serve slightly cool. From the Ray's Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay and Kumeu estate plots.

90 Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous Media

Wild fermentation, a little bit of barrel-aging on lees and a 10% addition of Sémillon in the blend make the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc far from your stereotypical Marlborough style. This wine plays on its clarity, texture and freshness. It's aromatically subtle, with green notes meeting nectarine and blackcurrant. While the region's natural freshness abounds, the wine retains a round shape and natural curve before being sewn up by a thread of acidity. There are layers of interest here that will keep you coming back.

95 Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Tasted at the Palmères de Castillon event, where I was a jury member, and this was one of the wines picked out blind. I checked it against a different bottle at home later, and suggest that it is given at least half an hour in a carafe, as it remains fairly closed, but once again this is proof of the quality of 2022, and it's a seriously impressive wine that offers wonderful value. I'm always a fan of Clos Puy Arnaud, and you get the deft precision of the winemaking here, coupled with ripe blueberry and raspberry fruits, liquorice, black tea, pomegranate and slate-scrape tannins.

94 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2022 Clos Puy Arnaud is a dense, extroverted wine. Inky dark fruit, licorice, menthol and cloves are all amplified. Usually Clos Puy Arnaud is more refined, but in 2022, the vintage dominates and speaks loudly. Even so, this is a compelling offering. I look forward to tasting it with bottle age.

93 Wine Spectator

Backed by singed anise and black tea accents, this bursts with mulberry and cherry notes. Offers a frankly toasty frame, but the fruit wins out easily. This will provide very tasty drinking in the near future. Drink now through 2029. 3,300 cases made.

90 Wine Enthusiast

Black cherry and spice dominate the aroma, along with an intense floral element. The wine is lush on the palate, with gripping tannins, mouthwatering acidity and ample dark fruit notes both fresh and preserved with an undertone of clove and cinnamon.

92 Joaquín Hidalgo - Vinous Media

Sourced from Perdriel, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendel was aged for up to a year in oak barrels. Garnet-hued, it opens with cedar, spice and a hint of jam. Boasting grip, plush texture and well-defined flavor, it offers an intense and savory profile without the imprint of the 2023 heat.

92 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission is packed with scents of blackberry, coffee, dried savory herbs, lavender, mocha and spice. This potent, strapping Moon Mountain Cabernet packs a pretty big punch. I would give the firm Moon Mountain tannins a year or two to soften. Overall, the 2020 is a fine showing in this challenging vintage.

91 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

This smells like freshly sliced white peaches and freshly picked blackcurrants. It’s juicy and very fresh, with an excellent balance of fruit and acidity. Barely medium-bodied. Very clean and bright finish without a hint of tartness. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

92 Tim Atkin, MW

94 Aldo Fiordelli - Senior Editor - JamesSuckling.com

"Subtle complexity with bright, elegant strawberries, lemon zest, light toast and chalky depth. No leafy aromas. Tight and intense long bubbles with racy acidity and a polished, filigreed finish. Disgorged December 2024. Drink or hold."

92 Robert Parker

84 Cellar Tracker

This is a cellartracker.com score based on 11 users as of 5/15/15