We always submit our wines to Sam Kim for his professional assessment and critique.
Sam has been involved within the New Zealand Hospitality industry for over 30 years and holds a Certificate in Winemaking from EIT (Hawke’s Bay), and has also been judging wines for the last 20 years at various wine competitions and magazines. He lives in Auckland with his family.
We appreciate Sam’s reviews and his commitment to the wine industry together with many wine enthusiasts around New Zealand. His reviews are always informative, balanced and fair.
Hawkshead Reserve Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago5 Stars (96 pts) Exceptional quality exhibiting highest level of concentration and complexity.
Gorgeously ripe and seductively complex, the wine shows sweet plum, spiced cherry, olive, cedar and rich floral aromas. The concentrated palate is graceful and flowing seamlessly to a persistent velvety finish. Wonderfully composed and stylish exhibiting multi-layered mouthfeel and finely integrated tannins. At its best: 2023 to 2033. - May 2022
Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Noir 20205 Stars (95 pts) Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.
Beautifully ripe and fragrant with dark cherry, warm spice, thyme and roasted nut characters, it's succulent and supple on the palate delivering excellent weight and persistency. Silky and fleshy with gorgeous complexity, making it highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2030.
Hawkshead Pinot Noir Rosé 2021, Gibbston Single Vineyard5 Stars (93 pts) Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.
Richer in style, the fragrant bouquet shows red cherry, raspberry, peach and lemon zest aromas, followed by a beautifully flavoursome palate that's succulent and fleshy. Vibrant and refreshing with a lingering crisp-dry finish. At its best: now to 2024. - Dec 2021
Hawkshead Pinot Gris 2021, Central Otago5 Stars (95 pts) Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.
A terrific rendition of the variety, showing Nashi pear, rockmelon, apricot and rich floral aromas on the nose, followed by a concentrated palate offering excellent weight and plush mouthfeel. Silky and flowing with a persistent delectable finish. At its best: now to 2029 - Jan 2022.
5 Stars (94 pts) Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.
Beautifully composed and stylish, the wine shows ripe apricot, rockmelon, fig and apple characters with nuances of oatmeal and mixed spice. It's wonderfully weighted on the palate offering richly textured mouthfeel combined with juicy fruit flavours and bright acidity, making it immensely satisfying. At its best: now to 2027. - Dec 2021