We’ve been receiving some fabulous reviews recently and we’ve noted our top performers for you below.
State of Flux Chardonnay 2018
Susy Atkins – The Sunday Telegraph, UK
“A remarkable wine with orange zest, lemon curd and Golden Delicious apple flavours. It’s unoaked, fermented and aged in concrete egg-shaped vessels, whose shape causes the yeast to be in constant movement (hence flux), adding rich complexity.”
State of Flux Chardonnay 2019
Joelle Thomson: 18.5 / 20
“Hand picked grapes were harvested from 25 year old Chardonnay vines grown on an upper terrace of the Awatere River, 26 kilometres inland from the coast where the warm days and cool nights provide excellent ripening conditions for grapes to enjoy the heat and retain their acidity for freshness. This wine was fermented in a concrete egg where the decomposing yeast cells (known as lees) move through the wine, hence the name ‘flux’. The time on yeast lees provides weight and texture as well as protecting the wine from oxidation. The result is an outstanding Chardonnay which is youthful but flavoursome with a refreshing, succulent style and a lingering fresh finish.”
State of Flux Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Joelle Thomson: 18.5 / 20
“Marlborough’s Awatere Valley is south of and cooler than the vast Wairau Plains where most of the region’s grapes grow. The Awatere was home to the grapes grown to make this dry, fresh and sophisticated, savoury Sauvignon Blanc, which was fermented with wild yeasts followed by 11 months maturation in a concrete egg. The shape of the egg allows the decomposing yeast cells (known as lees) to release proteins into the wine, protecting it from oxidation and acting as a flavour oven providing this wine with its full body and creamy mouthfeel. It has a long, silky, zesty finish and represents very good quality from New Zealand’s biggest wine region.”
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Harpers Wine Stars 2021 – UK
5 Stars, Star of Marlborough, Star of New Zealand
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Rebecca Gibb MW – Vinous 91/100
“Bright fruit flavours meet savoury undertones in this structured, young Pinot. It's all juicy berry fruits on entry, but then things get more serious as the wine is tightened up by the grip of youthful tannins and crunchy acidity, which lend both focus and purpose. The medium-length finish is fragrant, offering blackberries, herbs, violets and subtle oak-derived spices. Drink young with red meat for its primary fruit freshness or give it a couple of years for those tannins to mellow before approaching.”
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Decanter Magazine, UK 90/100
“Zesty blackcurrant, passion fruit and pink grapefruit aromas lead to quite a weighty palate of ripe pears, guava and more passion fruit. From one of New Zealand's greenest wineries, grapes for this great-value wine come from a vineyard so close to the ocean they get misted with seaspray.”
Jamie Goode – Sunday Express, UK
“Bright fruit flavours meet savoury undertones in this structured, young Pinot. It's all juicy berry fruits on entry, but then things get more serious as the wine is tightened up by the grip of youthful tannins and crunchy acidity, which lend both focus and purpose. The medium-length finish is fragrant, offering blackberries, herbs, violets and subtle oak-derived spices. Drink young with red meat for its primary fruit freshness or give it a couple of years for those tannins to mellow before approaching.”
Will Lyons – The Sunday Times, UK
“A textbook Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc from the Yealands estate with notes of citrus and passionfruit, finishing pure and crisp. Ideal for a spring sip.”
Yealands Reserve Rose 2020
Cameron Douglas MS 93/100
“Very attractive bouquet with quite intense aromas of yellow cherries and plums then strawberry, fresh lychee and red melon. On the palate - vibrant, fruity, refreshing and just dry. Flavours of red apple and cherry are highlighted by a vibrant crisp texture, fine fruit tannins and a lengthy, balanced finish. Lovely drinking today and through 2022.”
Yealands Reserve Gruner Veltliner 2020 (UK only)
Andy Howard MW – JancisRobinson.com, UK 15/20
“A fine combination of the classic white pepper character and plush stone fruit shows Gruner’s potential on the South Island. There is 3.3 g/l sugar on the finish, which I think could profitable have been a bit less as the sweetness pitches it as a more commercial style. Which is probably the idea!”
