Summary
A very good vintage for New Zealand, with a generous crop of high quality grapes in many regions, even though some saw reduced yields due to frost. On Waiheke Island, Chardonnay and Cabernet did well and generally better than Merlot, though some later-ripening reds such as Cabernet have only moderate acidity. Gisborne's harvest was extremely healthy and whites were very good where crop levels were reduced. Further south in Hawke's Bay, excellent weather at harvest contributed to concentrated ripe flavours and tannins. Martinborough's yields were reduced by the November frost but the wines are both concentrated and balanced. In...