2018: Wine Enthusiast 90: 'As in previous vintages, this wine is initially reductive, but this time it blows off fairly quickly once exposed to air in the glass or decanter. It opens into a subtle, focused Pinot, flowing from strawberry, cherry, damp earth, dried herb and slightly charred wood aromas on the nose to a silky palate of plush fruit supported by lovely, textured tannins. $20.'

Rich, ripe fruit. Unique and pretty. Full flavored and special. Upscale. I like this a lot. 92/100.

Taylor Valley and Omaka Valley vineyards on old riverbed soils; 20% whole bunch fermentation. Good ripeness,; no herbal element; nicely structured and balanced. Relies on good fruit and not wood chips. Bravo!! Great entry level effort. With aeration, there's a bit of barrel influence, managed well. 92/100.

Taylor Valley and Omaka Valley vineyards on old riverbed soils; 20% whole bunch fermentation. Medium dark ruddy red. As in vintages past, this is more about form than fragrance, though subtle pinot ID is detectable. Lusher and more varietally lavish on the palate. Really a delicious, free flowing, medium bodied pinot treat. Well balanced. Not tannic but still promising more bouquet evolution. 91+/100.

Johnson Vineyard Waihopai Valley & Outpost Vineyard Omaka Valley; aged 11 months in French oak barrels. Lovely, medium dark magenta. Oh my what a nose, forthcoming, and a combo of lush and brisk. Shows the way. Palate shows stylishness and precision, balance and finish. Crispness and flavor. Spot on rep for its growing zone. 93/100.

2020: Wine Spectator 90: 'Firm and appealing, with a thread of minerality and dried herbal overtones to the stewed plum and pomegranate notes. Finishes with a dash of salted black licorice. $25.'

By the Peregrine winery; 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Ruddy red color. Sweetness and roundness earned from bottle age. Otago racy, spicy, and classy pinot presentation. All echoes on the palate. Good flow. No tannin left. One of those salmon pinots. Versatile at the table for sure. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 93 - SMART BUY: 'Aromatic, with terrific precision to the herbal details of white pepper, grapefruit, lemongrass and fresh-grated ginger. Packs a core of mouthwatering Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and green apple flavors that show a thread of savory salinity, with an intense, fresh finish. $20.'

Yikes! That youthful sauvignon sharpness cuts like a knife. Hurts so good!/ Citrus and passion fruit flavors in abundance. And the racy acidity fulfills expectations. What we're looking for. 92/100.

With semillon. Lots of zingy lemon and grapefruit sauvignon. Semillon give a nice smoothness. Yeah, they're both here, texturally. And semillon adds lemon curd. Good. 91/100.

Wine Spectator 94 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 'Checking all the boxes, this stunning version is fresh and vibrant yet also complex and full of flavors, from toasted green tea and lemon thyme to mouthwatering passion fruit, yuzu and mango. Ends with hints of white pepper, lemon blossoms and sea salt on the long, expressive finish. $23.'

2017: Wine Spectator 91: 'Supple and smooth, offering a lovely frame for the distinctive notes of Key lime, lemongrass, candied ginger and saline to accent the core of melon and mango flavors. Shows plenty of acidity to keep the flavors fresh.'

2020: Blind River, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, Muritai, Goldschmidt, West Rapaura Road, Wairau Valley, Marlborough. Zesty citrus aromas. Lime, lemon, and grapefruit. Juicy and delish. 92/100.

2020: 55% Blind River, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, 40% Goldschmidt, West Rapaura Road, 5% Muritai riesling. Fresh, crisp. Aromas of grapefruit and lime. Yes, in form. Marlborough sauvignon acidity and relief. 91/100.

2018: Tasting Panel 91: 'Iconic New Zealand aromatics dreaw you in with tart gooseberry and grapefruit. Grown in dry, windy, cool-climate conditions, this wine shows a striking acidity with icy hints of crisp lime that melt across the palate. Tarragon and brushy notes with a hint of spice dart across the tongue, but the overall texture is superb. For us, The Loop represented the perpetual motion of sip and re-sip.'

Wine Spectator 91: 'Aromatic, with white pepper, orange blossoms and a hint of green cardamom that complement the core of tangerine, Meyer lemon and lime zest on a mouthwatering frame. Reveals a lingering accent of candied ginger.'

Wine Enthusiast 90 - BEST BUY: 'This is a bright, bouncy and balanced Sauvignon, particularly for the price. A perfume of lime, passion fruit and pineapple rush from the glass, underpinned by more delicate aromas of honeysuckle, grass and white spice. While acidity is still rapier-like, it's counterbalanced nicely by the vibrant fruit. Another few months in the bottle will do this good, and then it'll be a wine to stock up on for summer. $15.'

Ruby red grapefruit and passion fruit. Talks the talk. Aromas echo on the palate. Bright and brisk acidity balanced by a touch of tenderness. Well balanced. 92/100.

2021: Wine Enthusiast 91/100. My notes: Citrusy, yes. And also uniquely minty. To be more precise, it's bergamot. I applaud its special take. Sweet citrus and the ventilating airs of menthol and bergamot. Nothing else quite like it. 92/100.

Mild, pleasing, low key. Great acid verve with padded underlayment. Right down the Marlborough middle. 91/100.

2021: Lime, grass, green hay. Not balmy in tropical and stone fruits. Refined. Reads a southern valley sauvignon. Yes, so neat, so discreet. As it warms in the mouth, some passion fruit comes forth. Great acid, dryness, dignity. 92/100.

12.5%. Correct and low key. Makes no waves. Again. Adequate flavor, acid, balance. Not a pushy NZ sauvignon, so wide uses. 90/100.

Shrill and classic, with citrus emphasis. Not singularly grapefruit. A melange of citrus fruit aromas. Balanced, long, come hither. 91/100.

2022 is shaping up to be a riper, rounder vintage than 2021. Yes, sweeter form of citrus. Tangerine rather than lemon. Mellow. Should have broad appeal. 91/100.

A tasting panel member reports: 'Pleasant fresh green aspect to the nose. Lime, mint, a touch of green tomato, green pepper (not unpleasant), and a bit of lemon, too. The palate is ample, but totally dry. The palate confirms the nose. There is notable acidity, but with fatty food it proved cleansing. And it didn't clash with shrimp, a challenging ingredient for our palates and taste in wine. This wine is not trying to compete with cheaper grocery store NZ SB's. It is too dry and too structured. 92/100.

2021: Citrus aromas. Mellow rather than sharp. Sweet citrus fruit flavors. Good sweet-tart balance. Works all around. Well priced and sure to appeal. 91/100.

Heavy hitter Barossa cabernet, powerful, ripe, in your face Barossa. With aromatic depth. Good oak layer too. Yeah, rich, ripe fruit and barrel impact. Alcohol tempers sweetness. Good oak involvement. Balanced! A lot of Barossa cabernet for the price. Shows the way. Wine of place. 92/100.

2020: Wine Spectator 93: 'An elegant version, with firm earthy notes to the star anise, green cardamom and cigar box spiciness, backed by a touch of Dutch cocoa powder. Reveals spiced plum, cassis and kirsch flavors that are plump and velvety, with a long finish. Drink now through 2030.'

Red-black cab sauv color. The form and depth of Coonawarra cabernet. And the class. Yes, structure confirmed. Good regional acidity. Tannin to shed and flavor development to earn. Well poised, well priced. 92+/100.

2019: Wine Spectator 92: 'Rich dark chocolate and mocha notes add complexity to the core of wild blackberry, plum and cassis flavors in this red, with fresh minty herbal accents, a green cardamon note and velvety tannins giving this an air of elegance. Drink now through 2038. $28.'

2018: Very nice, cool climate pinot statement of cherry and tar. Racy. Good oak embellishments. Stands its ground in this company. Yes, racy, flavorful, and altogether spot on Yarra pinot. Warm, rich finish. So well conceived and composed. 93/100.

Fresh, snappy, upbeat young shiraz with a lot of white pepper pizzazz. Yes, it's a beauty in youth, nice and Barossa sweet. I'll bet this has a little viognier in it to give it extra lift. 91/100.

Wine & Spirits 92: 'This estate-grown shiraz ferments spontaneously with some whole bunches and whole berries, then it spends 18 months in French oak barrels, some 300-liter, some 500-liter, one-quarter of them new. The wine starts from a tight place, showing its intensity through scents of jasmine and peppercorn. Those aromas seem to lift out of the tannins while the fruit shows dark richness and pungency. Give this a year or two in the cellar to fully develop. $25.'

2016: Sweet, smooth, barrel aged. Well textured. A presentation that gets it done. Wonderful. Sweetness, acidity, flavor, tannin-? all in super harmony. Yes, wonderful. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 91: 'Vibrant and compelling, with mouthwatering notes of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple that mingle with a lingering thread of beeswax, litsea oil and dried ginger on the succulent finish. Drink now through 2028.'

12.5%. That's fresh, crisp, clear in varietal character, and intense. Apple and citrus. Again. Juicy fruit, acid, feel, balance. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'This entry-level wine opens with a lift of tangy citrus and stone fruit, with just a hint of oak and native yeast complexities. The palate is light to medium in weight with a gentle textural creaminess, bright fruit and a salty crunch to the acidity. It's a classy yet approachable wine that demonstrates how much Aussie Chard has grown up.'

2021: Wine Spectator 92 - SMART BUY: 'This white is fresh and light, but not shy on intensity, with notes of toasted sesame seed, fresh grated ginger and salted melon adding complexity to the core of citrus and ripe stone fruit flavors. Vibrant, mouthwatering acidity weaves in and out, highlighting all the details. $20.'

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'Despite being Yalumba's entry-level Viognier, this is one of its most delicious white offerings. Highly aromatic, it wafts a perfume of honeysuckle, orchard blossom and fuzzy peach skin. The palate is more viscous than the nose implies, but there's enough acidity to keep it fresh. Peach and lemon flavors linger on the finish. Drink with Thai curry or a similarly bold Southeast Asian dish. $15.'

43% cab sauv, 31% merlot, 21% cab franc, 5% petit verdot; aged 17 months in French oak cooperage. A wonderful Cape claret. Warmer than Bordeaux rouge, yet showing both the individual and the united elements of its encepagement. And barrel aging. Again, warmth, equilibrium, suavity, barrel augmentations, good acid, fine tannin. No brett, no dekk. The cow is still in the barn, the horse still in the stable. 92+/100.

He was in my office a few years back! Yes, the accidental inventor of 'coffee' pinotage, Bertus Fourie. A large, gentle, soft spoken man. It's got the coffee grounds nose. Plus mocha and a little dekk. Yeah, mocha nibs flavor. Adequate acidity. 90/100.

2015: 14%. Wow, large, sweet, strong, generous. Forceful, concentrated. Signs of barrel influence. Wow, this delivers. Full of fruit. Zero animal. Yes! 92/100.

Pretty full color for pinotage. Full nasal presence too. The high alcohol level is positive. Fresh and pretty flavorful. A nice take, if not very varietally specific. At least the horse is still in the barn. Good. I can use this. Have many pinotage fans. 90/100.

A dark and hearty Swartland take. Wide open and fruity. Yeah, well textured and mouthfilling. Certainly a lot of varietal clarity. I can use this. It will have fans. 91/100.

2017: Tasting Panel 92: 'Deep garnet color and a luscious nose; well rounded, with depth and style.'

A fresh take on pinotage. No brett/dekk issues, Valid varietal character. Good red fruit. Can't see much if any barrel involvement. Again, fruity and accurate. Sweet fruit flavor and feel. Boasts a lot of appeal. Good acidity for balance. Some tannin to resolve. 91/100.

59% syrah, 17% cinsault, 14% grenache, 10% mourvedre. Sweet fruited New World styling. Pleasing melange of Rhone varieties. Flavorful. Sweetish. Enough acid for balance. Flows. Good. 91/100.

2018: 'The land of milk and honey'; 45% cab sauv, 40% merlot, 7% malbec, 5% cab franc, 3% petit verdot; Whoa! In my face! It's clearly a riper, pushier New World take on claret than the four Bordeaux rouges that preceded it. All the same, it has an intriguing personality, unique, and appealing. Dark, firm, deep, and barrel touched. Well, really good acidity, which comes as a surprise. Generous in both flavor and texture. Lasting. And only 15 bucks! 91+/100.

Tasting Panel 91: '48% shiraz, 13% merlot, 11% petit verdot, 11% cabernet franc, 10% malbec, and 7% pinotage, integrated and even harmonious. That's especially impressive in view of the wine's intensity and youthfulness-it's a steal. $22.'

2018: 40% syrah, 35% cinsault, 16% mourvedre, 9% grenache. Starts out a sweet and standard warm climate red. Then spreads out to display a range of consonant varietal characteristics. A good balance of fruit richness and acid freshness. Works. 90/100.

NY Times 20 Reds Under $20: 'This wine from the Swartland region northeast of Cape Town, South Africa, is a homage to the red blends of the south of France. It's 56 percent cinsault, a work-horse grape that is getting more attention and care these days, with the remainder syrah and carignan. It's fruity yet lithe, underlined with light tannins. $16.99.'

Brisk, unique, and well priced. Has that special Cape sauvignon something. Sauvignon ID without either sweetness or shrillness. Can't remember when I last had a young Cape sauvignon. The colors haven't faded though. Yes, there it is. Brisk, yet with a tender core. Got to have this. 91/100.

Works well. Chenin melon and lime. Roussanne peach. Viognier honeysuckle. In tandem. Yes, full flavor chorus in harmony. Soft and pleasing acidity. Delight. 91/100.

2022 San Francisco International Wine Competition: BEST CHENIN BLANC. My notes: 20+ year old vines in granite and shale. Native yeasts. Good, inviting, sweet, full quince, lime, and melon chenin nose. The acid it up to it too. And dryness. One of the best vintages of this. Well textured. Balanced and lasting. Highly foodworthy. 91/100.

12%. Following aeration, varietal character pours through. Melon, quince. Yes, varietally innate and dry besides. Full flavors and length. Well balanced by fruit acidity. 91/100.

49% chenin blanc, 21% chardonnay, 14% viognier, 10% semillon, 6% sauvignon blanc. Chenin blanc melon and chardonnay apple lead the way. Viognier's floral overtones. The florals are more forthcoming on the palate. Semillon padding. Well balanced. Needs a few months to catch up to the 2020 at peak performance. The group agreed. The host reported it had already made good progress by the next day. 91+/100. Tasted 10/22.