This is a classy wine with a formidable track record in shows. Powerful, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 50 per cent new), it offers the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a long, creamy finish. The grapes are grown in company-controlled vineyards, spread along the south side of the Wairau Valley. In a recent vertical tasting of the 1998 to 2003 vintages, the wine looked best at two to four years old; the 2001 is lovely now. The 2003, made with 25 per cent malolactic fermentation, has rich toast and butterscotch aromas leading into a smooth, peachy, mealy, rounded palate, impressively concentrated, in a bold, upfront style.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is a classy wine with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it offers the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 2000 is fragrant, rich and complex, with excellent depth of ripe stone-fruit and cashew nut flavours and a slightly creamy texture. The 2001 vintage is a beauty and very typical of the label. Full and deliciously soft (softness and delicacy are hallmarks of Marris' white wines), it is vibrantly fruity and concentrated, with deep grapefruit, melon and toasty oak flavours, all in lovely harmony.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is a classy wine with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it offers the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 2000 is fragrant, rich and complex, with excellent depth of ripe stone-fruit and cashew nut flavours and a slightly creamy texture. The 2001 vintage is a beauty and very typical of the label. Full and deliciously soft (softness and delicacy are hallmarks of Marris' white wines), it is vibrantly fruity and concentrated, with deep grapefruit, melon and toasty oak flavours, all in lovely harmony.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Medium yellow-green; in the mainstream of New Zealand Chardonnay style, with fairly potent barrel-ferment aromas on the bouquet. The palate is rich and round, with figgy melon fruit, but I would still prefer a little less oak and a little more fruit focus. That said, a smart wine.

Australian Wine Companion 2001 2001

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is an exceptionally classy wine, with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it overflows with the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 1994 to 1998 vintages are all drinking superbly. The 1998 is a big, seamless wine, bursting with ripe tropical fruit characters. Mouthfilling and slightly creamy, with a hint of butterscotch, it shows impressive delicacy and softer acidity than usual.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is an exceptionally classy wine, with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it overflows with the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 1994 to 1998 vintages are all drinking superbly. The 1998 is a big, seamless wine, bursting with ripe tropical fruit characters. Mouthfilling and slightly creamy, with a hint of butterscotch, it shows impressive delicacy and softer acidity than usual.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Medium to full yellow-green; the stylish and tangy bouquet shows obvious barrel-ferment characters; the palate, however, is marvellously soft yet not flabby, with a textured silky delicacy surrounded by nectarine fruit and some cashew characters.

Australian Wine Companion 1999 1998

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is an exceptionally classy wine, with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it overflows with the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 1994 to 1998 vintages are all drinking superbly. The 1998 is a big, seamless wine, bursting with ripe tropical fruit characters. Mouthfilling and slightly creamy, with a hint of butterscotch, it shows impressive delicacy and softer acidity than usual.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Made by Brent Marris, who built his reputation at Delegat's but now focuses his energies wholly on Wither Hills, this is an exceptionally classy wine, with a formidable competition track record. A powerful wine, with a mealy, biscuity complexity from fermentation and lees-aging in French oak casks (typically 60 per cent new), it overflows with the intense flavours of Marlborough fruit, with a deliciously long, creamy finish. The 1994 to 1998 vintages are all drinking superbly. The 1998 is a big, seamless wine, bursting with ripe tropical fruit characters. Mouthfilling and slightly creamy, with a hint of butterscotch, it shows impressive delicacy and softer acidity than usual.

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines

Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines