2009 Palliser Pinot Noir – 90 points – Medium ruby in color, the 2009 Pinot Noir presents warm raspberry and cranberry preserves on the nose alongside some Ceylon tea notes mixed with blueberries and dried rose petal nuances. This medium to full-bodied wine has slightly more tannin structure, medium to high acid and a long finish that is showing evolution. Drink it now through 2015.

2010 Palliser Pinot Noir – 91 points – Medium ruby in color, the 2010 Pinot Noir has a more restrained, savory and earthy nose with gentle, red berry and sage notes and a hint of cloves. Medium-bodied, it has crisp acid, low to medium levels of grainy tannins and a long, elegant finish. Drink it now through 2015

2011 Palliser Great Paloma Pinot Noir – 93 points –  Medium ruby in color, the 2011 The Great Paloma Pinot Noir is a barrel selection wine made from 60% Abel clone fruit aged 17 months in 2/3 new oak. The nose has a very pretty perfume of roses, lavender, black cherry and black raspberry with a whiff of cinnamon. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the medium level of very fine tannins provides structure on the very long finish. Drink it now through 2019

Palliser Estate 2008 Methode Traditionnelle. Number 14 in a line of impressive sparkling releases from Martinborough’s Palliser, this blend of 53% Chardonnay and 47% Pinot Noir, boasts notes of ripe apple and stone fruits, a brick lemony acidity and undertones of nut and bread crust.  Jo Burzynska – Viva  17/04/2013

Palliser Estate 2011 Riesling. An excellent example of Riesling which is at its best is one of Martinborough’s top white wines. If the voluminous bouquet doesn’t hook you then the mouthful of luscious limes and the lick of honey will. A powerful off-dry version of the species which will become even more delicious with time in the cellar. Warren Barton – Wine NZ Autumn 2013

Palliser Estate 2010 Pinot Noir. very good Martinborough Pinot, a label often overlooked yet offering clean, vibrant, well spined fruit and just enough oak as a condiment. An elegant wine with some depth. Drinking well now and showing its grace and finesse which will increase through 2013 to show best 2014-2016. Peter Saunders – Wine NZ Autumn 2013

Pencarrow 2011 Chardonnay. Pencarrow is an alternative range from the Palliser Estate. Easy drinking, clean and alive Chardonnay offering an any-time drinking style. I enjoyed this not for it’s simplicity but for its drinkability, a nicely balanced fresh and tasty wine to work with anything from antipasto to golden roast of chicken. Peter Saunders – Wine NZ Autumn 2013

“No question this was a truly seductive wine right from the outset. Pretty and golden in the glass with aromas of pastry, toasted croissant and rising dough,it was one of those wines that made an immediate impression. Created by Allan Johnson from a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, the “Attractive yeast autolysis backbone andstonefruit intensity” wowed Cameron Douglas while Yvonne Lorkin loved the incredibly clean and balanced mouthfeel with its lovely biscuity, creamy character and James Rowan was rather taken with its “nice mousse and fantastic depth of flavour”. A very sophisticated and ultimately satisfying sparkler.”

Pencarrow and Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The most high profile and successful producer of Sauvignon Blanc in Martinborough is Palliser Estate.  The Palliser Estate wine has headed off examples from the Marlborough region many times in judgings to take top awards both nationally and overseas.  To me, the Palliser style has all the fruit exuberance of the Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs without being excessively so, and it possesses a greater texture and palate presence than wines from further south.  It’s a similar situation to the Pinot Noir wines of the region too.  As the company’s Sauvignon Blanc vines  mature, as well as those of Palliser’s regular contracted growers, there has been an abundance of quality fruit which has made its way into the second tier ‘Pencarrow’.  There’s not much between the Pencarrow and Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blancs in quality now from my recent tastings.  Differentiation must be made in stylistic terms only.  Here are my reviews of the 2012 wines.  www.palliser.co.nz

Palliser Estate Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 *****                               100% Martinborough fruit from the company vineyards with contract fruit included, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.5% alc. and 4.5 g/L rs, the wine undergoing batonnage just over 8 weeks.  Bright, even straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, pale on rim.  This has an elegant but firmly concentrated nose of fresh, fragrant passionfruit, lime and floral aromas along with a delicate flinty, mineral lees-contact note.  The bouquet is one of finesse and clarity.  Dry to taste, elegantly proportion and very fine-featured, aromatic passionfruit, lime and gooseberry fruit flavours are enhanced by bright, lacy acidity, highlighting the detail and providing tension and energy.  There is an underlying richness and concentration that is driven to a very long, delicately nuanced finish with complexing minerally elements.  This is a refined, lively Sauvignon Blanc with aromatic tropical and gooseberry fruit flavours that is too easy to drink.  It is the most elegant Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc to date.  Serve with fine Asian and Pacific Rim influenced cuisine over the next 2-3 years.  18.5/20

Pencarrow Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 ****                                   Brilliant, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues.  The nose is very full with deep, rich, pungent aromas of passionfruit and savoury tropical fruits unfolding to reveal gooseberry and dark herbal detail.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is packed with soft, rich flavours of passionfruit, limes and sweet grass and herbal elements.  The flavours open to become voluminous and mouthfilling, and are enlivened by fresh acidity.  The palate flows seamlessly to a long, lingering and full finish brimming with gooseberry and grassy nuances.  This is a gently voluminous and smooth Sauvignon Blanc packed with lush passionfruit flavours.  Match with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare over the next 2+ years.  Fruit from company vineyards and contract growers in Martinborough, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.5% alc. and 3.9 g/L rs, the wine undergoing batonnage approx. 8 weeks.  18.0+/20