Alana Syrah 2014 Martinborough 90/100 4.5 Stars
A wonderfully expressive syrah, the fragrant bouquet shows dark plum, blackcurrant, mixed spice and a hint of white pepper characters. It is succulent and rounded on the palate, and offers elegant mouthfeel which is both generous and fine at the same time. Tannins are polished and beautifully integrated, making the wine silky and immediately appealing. At its best: now to 2019. $30.00. www.alana.co.nz. Feb 2016.

Alana Limited Release Pinot Noir 2013 Martinborough 95/100 5 Stars
A stunning pinot. The gloriously complex bouquet shows dark cherry, plum, truffle, cedar and mixed spice notes, leading to a concentrated and powerful palate that’s richly textured with firm structure. The wine offers layers of delicious flavours. At its best: 2016 to 2023. $65.00. Limited availability

Alana Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Martinborough
Elegantly expressed and beautifully ripe, the bouquet shows white stone fruit, lemon peel, floral and dill aromas, which lead to a finely textured palate that delivers excellent focus and palate weight. The wine is beautifully rounded and long, and refreshing to the finish. At its best: now to 2020.

Alana Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Martinborough
Elegantly expressed and beautifully ripe, the bouquet shows white stone fruit, lemon peel, floral and dill aromas, which lead to a finely textured palate that delivers excellent focus and palate weight. The wine is beautifully rounded and long, and refreshing to the finish. At its best: now to 2020.

Alana Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Martinborough
Elegantly expressed and beautifully ripe, the bouquet shows white stone fruit, lemon peel, floral and dill aromas, which lead to a finely textured palate that delivers excellent focus and palate weight. The wine is beautifully rounded and long, and refreshing to the finish. At its best: now to 2020.

Alana Estate ‘White Blend’ Martinborough Blanc 2014  4 Stars

Brilliant straw-yellow colour with light lemon-gold hues, pale edged.  The nose is elegantly concentrated with fine and intense aromas of white stonefruit, white florals and subtle notes of fresh herbs and a little secondary waxiness.  This has a well-packed core to the bouquet.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a good heart of white stonefruit flavours entwined with delicate floral and herbal elements, and some waxiness.  The fruit is moderately rich, forming a concentrated heart with a suggestion of unctuousness.  The richness is countered by lacy acidity and a fine phenolic thread which guides the wine to an elegant finish.  This is a dry Gruner Veltliner/Riesling blend with stonefruit, herb and secondary waxy flavours on a palate with some richness.  Match with Mediterranean cuisine over the next 2-3 years.  Martinborough fruit, a blend of 60% Gruner Veltliner and 40% Riesling, fermented in stainless-steel to 11.6% alc. and dryness, the wine aged 4 months on lees.  17.5-/20  Mar 2018  RRP $28.00

Alana Estate Riesling 2015 Martinborough  4 Stars
Full, even straw-yellow colour with lemon-gold hues, pale edged.  The bouquet is softly full with a moderately concentrated heart of lime fruit melded with secondary toast, honey and mineral notes.  This has a gentle presence.  Medium-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is soft and gently mouthfilling with delicate flavours of lime fruit harmoniously intermixed with honied and secondary toasty development notes.  The mouthfeel is bright and vibrant with fresh acidity, and the wine carries along a light-textured line leading to a lingering finish.  This is a gently mouthfilling medium-dry Riesling with harmonious lime, toast, honied and mineral flavours on a vibrant palate.  Match with Asian cuisine over the next 4 years, fermented in tank and a very small portion on skins in puncheon to 12.4% alc. and 11 g/L RS

Alana Estate Chardonnay 2016,

Brilliant light golden-yellow colour with some depth, light on the rim.  The nose is softly concentrated with up-front aromas of white and yellow stonefruits, along with an amalgam of nutty oak and flinty lees, unveiling some smokiness and chalky mineral elements.  The aromatics build to form a solid core.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has up-front and fulsome flavours of yellow stonefruits with complexing notes of creamy barrel-ferment, nutty oak and subtle oxidative elements, unfolding a layering of lemon-curd MLF.  The mouthfeel is robust and vigorous and the flavours flow with some drive along a lightly-textured palate line, leading to a nutty finish.  This is an up-front, flavoursome Chardonnay with stonefruit, nutty oak and lemon-curd MLF flavours on a robust. Slightly grippy palate.  Match with poultry and pork over the next 4 years.  WBP and fully barrel-fermented to 12.9% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 12% new oak, undergoing 100% MLF.   Mar 2018  RRP $33.00

Alana Late Harvest Riesling 2014 93/100 5 Stars

This delectable sweet wine is made from late harvested and botrytised grapes. Fabulous aromas of dried apricot, marmalade, Manuka honey and potpourri lead to a beautifully sweet palate that is richly flavoured and generously textured. It is impressively long and satisfying on the finish.  $25.00. 375ml.

It’s delightful and immediately appealing with red cherry, plum, floral and subtle spice notes on the nose. The palate is juicy and lively showing lovely fruit intensity, finishing lingering and smooth. A friendly pinot and it’s seriously good drinking.

Alana Lumiere Pinot Noir 2017

Even, light red colour with some purple hues, pale on the rim.  The nose is soft and gently full with light aromas of savoury red berry fruit melded with an amalgam of herbs and nutty oak, unfolding red floral elements.  This is broad with presence and possesses some complexing interest.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has good depth and weight, showing savoury red berry fruit with notes of herbs and resinous, nutty oak, and red floral nuances.  The mouthfeel has breadth and presence, with soft acidity lending roundness.  Light tannin extraction provides a background framework that carries the wine to a moderately vigorous, lingering, savoury finish.  This is a broad and mouthfilling Pinot Noir with savoury red fruits, subtle herb and nutty oak notes on a rounded, but structured palate.  Match with wild duck and pork, and mushroom dishes over the next 3 years. , fully destemmed and fermented to 12.9% alc., the wine aged 10 months in seasoned oak.

Alana Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2016  4 stars

Even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, a little lighter on the edge, youthful in appearance.  The nose is moderately concentrated and packed with aromas of dark-red cherry and berry fruit subtly melded with a thread of dark herbs and suggestions of whole bunch stalk-like elements, unfolding a little raspberry liqueur and earth.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has rich and sweet fruit flavours of dark-red cherry and raspberry fruit along with subtle herbal nuances.  The fruit has lusciousness, and forms a lively and vibrant heart, enlivened by fresh acidity.  Light, balanced tannin extraction supports the fruit and the wine leads to a light- fruit-sweet finish.  This is a moderately sweet and rich cherry and raspberry fruited Pinot Noir on a fresh palate with balanced structure.  Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 4-5 years.  primarily Abel clone, fermented with approx. 30% whole bunches to 13.2% alc., the wine aged 10 months in approx. 20% new oak.

Alana Limited Release Pinot Noir 2013 Martinborough 95/100 5 Stars
A stunning pinot. The gloriously complex bouquet shows dark cherry, plum, truffle, cedar and mixed spice notes, leading to a concentrated and powerful palate that’s richly textured with firm structure. The wine offers layers of delicious flavours. At its best: 2016 to 2023. $65.00. Limited availability