Wine Spectator
91 points
Complex and maturing, this smells like burnished antique furniture, picking up notes of orange, spice and apricot. Its sweetness is offset by tangy acidity, keeping it all lively and driving the flavors to a lengthy conclusion. Drink now through 2012.
Wine Spectator
92 points
“Rich and creamy up front, exhibiting caramel, coconut, spice and orange flavors, then a wave of fresh acidity ushers in the refreshing finish. The aftertaste combines citrus and caramel.”
Wine Spectator
92 points
“Amazing. This tastes off-dry, so searing is the acidity of this blazing Tokaji. Combines intense caramel, orange peel, spice and mineral flavors with a gossamer structure and flavors that go on and on. Drink now through 2015.”
Decanter
90 points
"Lean, tangy nose of apricot and lime. The palate has a good attack and is lean and pungent, It has a crystalline, racy character, displaying tension and vigour. The fruit is a bit subdued now, but there seems to be plenty of it. Good length with a nutty finish."
Wine & Spirits
93 points
“...spicy and cool, this raspberry-scented wine is packed with energy. The fruit feels succulent and juicy, even as the tannins last with powerful braised-meat flavors and bright purple radish–like bitterness. This is fresh, vibrant and delicious"
Wine Spectator
90 Points
This is firing on all cylinders, featuring blackberry, dark plum, chocolate and spice flavors allied to a solid structure. Long, if still a bit compact and square on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
JancisRobinson.com
16.5 Points
Cloudy gold. Aromas of ripe lemon and clementine. Reminds me of a lemon and ginger infusion. Dry wine with a chewy texture that gives an attractive and light tannic grip to balance the intense and aromatic fruit.
jamessuckling.com
91 Points
A fresh, lean white with dried-pear and green-apple character, medium body and a crisp, tangy finish. Vibrant is the word. Drink now.
Vinous
92 Points
The 2017 Estate Chardonnay has a fresh, well-defined bouquet of citrus fruit complemented by subtle scents of brioche and almond. The palate is taut and crisp on the entry with a twist of sour lemon. Very saline in the mouth, not powerful but full of tension. The aforementioned saline tang lingers on the aftertaste. Superb - one of the best Estate releases in recent years. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.
jamessuckling.com
93 Points
Enticing and very fresh nose of sliced pears and flowers with hints of almonds and vanilla. A great combination of vibrant fruit and silky texture, this tightly wound, medium-bodied chardonnay is just beginning to unfurl its long banner. Great mineral freshness at the pristine finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
Wine Enthusiast
90 Points
Kumeu's estate Chard is a blend of six different sites. Despite a few years in bottle, it's still relatively closed, showing a restrained toasty character along with red apple, pineapple and orange rind. The palate is more generous in a satiny texture and seamless backbone of acidity, accompanied by tangy, citrusy flavors and woody undertones. Drink now–2022.
JancisRobinson.com
16 Points
Mid crimson. Bottled. Lovely fresh lightly stemmy red fruit. A hint of white mushrooms. Tangy and deeply fruited on the palate, the roundness of the tannins accentuating the lovely fruit character, which is ripe but fresh. Chewy and generous.
Jeb Dunnuck
98 Points
From one of the Grand Cru sites in the Russian River (although it's a big, diverse site), the 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard saw the standard 12 months in one-third new French oak followed by six months in stainless steel. Buttered pineapple, nectarines, honeyed flowers, almond paste, toasted bread, and honeysuckle notes all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is full-bodied on the palate and flawlessly balanced. The purity of fruit is just about off the charts, and it has good acidity as well as a great mid-palate...
Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points
Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was all destemmed (as are all the Pinot Noirs here) and was brought up 11 months in just 20% new French oak. Its ruby/plum and translucent hue is followed by a savory nose of mulled black cherry and currant fruits interwoven with lots of spice, forest floor, earth, and bouquet garni. Textured and medium-bodied, with good acidity and great balance, I suspect it's going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and should have a decade or more of overall longevity.
jamessuckling.com
93 Points
This is very exciting with cassis-bush and plum character and very pretty rose-stem and leaf undertones. Full-bodied, layered and focused. Solid. Try after 2021.
Wine Spectator
94 Points
Tangy and full of floral, creamy peach and hazelnut flavors, shaded by vanilla and toasty oak notes. Racy and mouthwatering on the bracing finish, with alluring aromas and subtle length. Drink now through 2028. 600 cases made, 85 cases imported.
Wine Spectator
93 Points
This sleek white exhibits fine intensity, with a honey note adding interest to the peach, lemon tart and mineral flavors. Balanced, verging on creamy in texture, offering a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. 3,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.
Wine Spectator
90 Points
This is rich, evoking lemon cake, green apple and pastry flavors. Backed by vibrant acidity, this leaves a cleansing impression on the long finish. Drink now through 2024. 625 cases made, 20 cases imported.
Wine Enthusiast
95 Points
Made from estate-grown grapes, this wine opens in soft, sup-ple tannins and a wealth of powerful black fruit. Expansive and weighty on the palate, it unfurls integrated acidity throughout. Black pepper, dried herb and crushed rock components give it an endur-ing earthiness. Enjoy from 2026–2036. Cellar Selection.
Vinous
93 Points
The 2017 Noi4 is a bold, exuberant wine that shows the natural intensity of the year in its racy, exotic personality. A rush of black fruit, espresso, licorice, leather and dark spice fleshes out in the glass. Today the tannins are a bit imposing. A year or two of bottle age and/or a healthy decant will help.