2006 "La Reserve" SAUVIGNON BLANC
4 stars - Winestate Magazine, May 2008
“Rich, ripe style, hand-picked at over 25 brix and fermented and matured for eight months in seasoned French oak barrels. Very non-herbaceous, with tropical-fruit flavours, a hint of toasty oak, good complexity and a dry, rounded finish.” Michael Cooper

2007 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
3 stars - Winestate Magazine, May 2008
“Fleshy, ripe and rounded wine, estate-grown at Rapaura. Tropical fruit flavours to the fore, in a moderately concentrated, smooth, full-bodied style.” Michael Cooper

2006 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
Gold Medal - Winewise Small Vigneron Awards, Australia 2007
Commended - Wine Style Asia Award 2007, Singapore

2006 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
Bronze Medal - Red Hill Cool Climate Wine Show, 2007
Commended - International Wine Challenge, London, 2007
Commended - Wine Style Asia Award 2007, Singapore
“Marlborough style from a Frenchman with a New Zealand-trained winemaker. A nice soft wine after a year, still with the distinctive local sauvignon characters. The softness makes an alternative to the racy style and is food-friendly and will appeal to a wide cross-section of drinkers.” Peter Saunders, F&B February 2007

2004 "La Reserve" PINOT NOIR
Platinum Gold Medal - Wine Style Asia Award 2007, Singapore
Bronze Medal - International Wine Challenge, London, 2007
Bronze Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards, 2006

2003 "La Reserve" CHARDONNAY
Platinum Gold Medal - Wine Style Asia Award 2007, Singapore

2005 "Golden Mile" CHARDONNAY
Silver Medal - Wine Style Asia Award 2007, Singapore

2005 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
4 stars - Winestate Magazine, July 2007
"This is the domaine’s finest Marlborough red yet. Deeply coloured and
muscular, with ripe, sweet-fruit characters, it offers an array of cherry, plum, spice and olive flavours, showing impressive depth and complexity, and a foundation of firm, slightly grippy tannins. Priced sharply at $21." Michael Cooper, Winestate

2005 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
Bronze Medal - New Zealand International Wine Competition, 2005
3 Stars - Winestate Magazine, 2005
89 Points - Wine Enthusiast, USA, 2006
89 Points - Wine Spectator, USA, 2006

“This is a welcome style departure from previous vintages made at this Marlborough winery. Gone are the muted flavours of the past and in their place is a bright, fresh, zingy sauvignon blanc. It was made by Lincoln University-trained Swan Michel, the daughter of winery owner Georges.” JOELLE THOMSON selects her top 10 sauvignon blancs from the last six months, VIVA, New Zealand Herald, March 2006

“A light textured wine that has youthful fresh citrus and passionfruit aromas, moderately concentrated fruit flavours and a dry finish.” Jane Skilton MW, Hospitality Thirst, Jan 2006

“Marlborough style, drinking well. Racy and fresh, the New Zealand trained daughter (Swan) of Georges Michel has brought a lively, uncluttered and tangy Marlborough Sauvignon this year. Lots of life, working well now.”
Peter Saunders, F&B Sept 2005

2005 "La Reserve" SAUVIGNON BLANC
“An atypical expression of Marlborough sauvignon blanc made by Swan Michel, daughter of French winery founder Georges Michel. Fermented and aged in used French oak barrels (unusually for Marlborough sauvignon), it’s a distinctive wine with spiky gooseberry, nettle and pineapple flavours and sharp acidity, overlaid with a subtle oak influence.” Karl du Fresne, Sunday Star Times Magazine, 17 September 2006

2004 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
“Light cherry red of medium concentration and very bright. The palate has medium complexity with spiced cherry, a touch of soy, mushroom and tea. Overall in balance with a satin texture, ripe understated tannins and light, older oak adding structure. Fresh and bright with persistent varietal character and medium finish.” Cameron Douglas, Hospitality Thirst, May 2006

2004 "Autumn Folly" DESSERT WINE
Bronze Medal - Liquorland Top 100, 2005

“Made in the style of a ‘vin doux naturel’ ie. Sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes were fermented for a short while then grape spirit was added to kill the yeasts and leave some residual sweetness in the wine. Medium sweet with lifted vibrant fruit flavours. A unique dessert wine.” Jane Skilton MW, Hospitality Magazine Nov 2004

“Made in the style of Beaumes-de-Venise and the other natural sweet wines of France, but with sauvignon blanc and Semillon, not muscat. Fermentation is stopped with the addition of alcohol to produce an elegant and unique addition to the New Zealand wine scene.” Warren Barton’s Top 100 wines of 2004, Dominion Post, Dec 2004

“Vin doux Natural wine making. Pale gold with a splash of green. Aromas include capsicum and tropical fruits that follow through to the palate with a rush of alcohol. Overall a wine with a liqueur feel that will match well with rich desserts that include dark chocolate and caramel flavours.” Cameron Douglas, Hospitality Thirst, June 2006

2003 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
Bronze Medal - Liquorland Top 100, 2005
Bronze Medal - New Zealand International Wine Competition, 2005
Bronze Medal - Australian Small Winemakers Show, 2005

2004 "Golden Mile" CHARDONNAY
Silver Medal - New Zealand International Wine Competition, 2005
Bronze Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards, 2005
4½ Stars - Winestate Magazine, 2006
Silver Medal - New Zealand Royal Easter Wine Show, 2006

“Delicious food wine. Tasty and clean, quite complex for its age and a very pleasant drop of just off-dry Marlborough chardonnay working well as a no-fuss, anytime white. Nicely ready, through 2006.” Peter Saunders, Peter’s Picks, F&B Oct 2005

“A bright Marlborough chardonnay with a good balance between ripe fruit flavours, lemony acidity and creamy oak. A savoury, leesy wine with a crisp dry finish.” Jane Skilton MW, Hospitality Thirst, Dec 2005.

“fragrant with hints of sweet tropical and stone fruit, a suggestion of pepper, butterscotch, a hint of smoky oak and a crisp, bright finish.” 3 and a half stars. Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, May 2006

2003 "La Reserve" PINOT NOIR
“Mahogany licked red.
“Slightly earthy, fungal, charred nose has a delicate nature.
“Good fruit presence on impact, mildly concentrated, grainy, slightly cherryish. Mid palate is warm and earthy, with excellent vinosity and good fruit based flavours, which spread nicely across the palate without losing their depth. Finish is warm and easy, mildly opaque with a pleasant fruit drive and touch of gravel. Attractive, toothsome wine.” Keith Stewart, Sommnet, 13 September 2006

2002 "La Reserve" CHARDONNAY
Bronze Medal - New Zealand Royal Easter Wine Show, 2005
Bronze Medal - New Zealand International Wine Competition, 2005
3½ Stars - Winestate Magazine, 2006

“Hearty, tangy chardonnay with earthy tones, a mix of oak and other complexities. One of the best from this winery to date, a bit different and with a nice French overtone from its winemaker from Burgundy. Nicely ready but no hurry.”
Peter Saunders, Peter’s Picks, F&B September 2005

2004 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
Bronze Medal - New Zealand Royal Easter Wine Show, 2005
Bronze Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA, 2005

2004 "Summer Folly" Rosé
“Made from pinot noir, this rosé has light fresh aromas of strawberry and raspberry, appealing bright flavours and a crisp finish.” Jane Skilton MW, Hospitality Magazine Nov 2004

2003 "Petit Pinot" PINOT NOIR
Bronze Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Show, 2004

"Feathery, fresh Pinot with just a few months in oak to keep it refreshing and supple. Light colour and texture makes for a good after-work wine as well as for light food courses and snacks. No hurry, through 2005."
- Peter Saunders, F & B Magazine, August 2004

2003 "Golden Mile" CHARDONNAY
Bronze Medal - International Chardonnay Challenge, NZ, 2004

2003 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
4 Stars - Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine, 2004
Seal of Approval - International Wine Challenge of Asia, 2004

"Silken-textured sauvignon blanc in a complex style with barrel fermentation and yeast lees characters. Mouth-filling wine with a soft texture."
4 Stars - Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Spring 2004

2002 "La Reserve" PINOT NOIR
Seal of Approval - International Wine Challenge of Asia, 2004

"Dusky, earthy style developing mellow, spicy Pinot Noir traits. The French winemaker makes his statement here with a less overtly fruity red than traditional Marlborough. Ready to enjoy, with food."
- Peter Saunders, F & B Magazine, August 2004

“A bright vivid wine that has lovely definition; youthful raspberry, strawberry fruit, a background of oak that does not overwhelm and a long savoury finish. This wine has elegance, charm and it’s not over alcoholic; ingredients for a successful food wine.”
- Jane Skilton, MW, Hospitality Magazine, August 2004

2001 "La Reserve" CHARDONNAY
Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Show, February, 2003
Silver Medal - International Chardonnay Challenge, NZ, 2003
Bronze Medal - Chardonnay du Monde, France, 2004
4 Stars - Winestate Magazine, May/June, 2004

"...from Marlborough, has a extra year's bottle age and more complexity than most of the other wines in this review. I enjoyed its silky texture, layers of flavour hinting of citrus and nuts, and its delicious, crisp finish."
4 Stars - Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, June 2003

2002 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
Seal of Approval - Japan Wine Challenge, 2003

"Starting to develop some secondary characters with the light raspberry and cherry flavours gaining some nice 'forest floor' complexity. A bright fruity wine that finishes well."
- WineNZ magazine Pinot Noir tasting, June/July 2004

2002 "Golden Mile" CHARDONNAY
Wineside Recommendation - 2003
Bronze Medal - Japan Wine Challenge, 2003
Bronze Medal - Air NZ Wine Awards, 2003

2002 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
Silver Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA, 2002
88 Points - Wine Spectator, USA, 2003
Seal of Approval - Japan Wine Challenge, 2003

"...stood out as slightly different from the others with broader, more complex flavours, less ebullient fruit and more mineral characters. Made by a French winemaker, it is good with food."
3½ Stars - Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, August 2002

2001 "Golden Mile" PINOT NOIR
"This is a very drinkable wine, with relatively low alcohol, good concentration and lovely plum fruits on the nose. It's obviously made by someone who genuinely likes pinot noir and understands it enough to know that oak should be invisible."
- Dr Paul White, Dominion Post, January 2003

2001 "Golden Mile" SAUVIGNON BLANC
3 Stars - Michael Cooper, Wine Taste

2002 "La Reserve" CHARDONNAY
The 2000 (4 Stars) is substantial, nutty and smooth, with a very creamy texture (suggesting a strong 'malo' influence). Fleshy, complex and harmonious, it's already drinking well."
- Michael Cooper's Buyer's guide to New Zealand Wines 2002

2000 "Golden Mile" CHARDONNAY
Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards, 2002
4 Stars - Cuisine Magazine
3½ Stars - Winestate Magazine, May/June, 2002
Bronze Medal - Chardonnay du Monde, France, 2002
Bronze Medal - Cool Climate Wine Show, Australia, 2002
Highly Recommended - Winewise Small Vigneron Awards, Australia, 2002
Bronze Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA, 2002
Bronze Medal - International Chardonnay Challenge, NZ, 2002

"...oozes tropical fruit - pawpaw and pineapple - with overtones of honey and buttery toast, and finishing with a crisp hint of citrus and a long aftertaste. At two years old it is nicely mellowed and delicious."
4 Stars - Wines of the Week - Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, August 2002

2000 "Petit Pinot" PINOT NOIR
Bronze Medal - Top 100 Liquorland, 2001 (NZ)

2000 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Silver Medal - Top 100 Liquorland, 2000 (NZ)
4½ Stars - Michael Cooper, Wine Star
Bronze Medal - Cool Climate Wine Show 2001, (Australia)
Bronze Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards, 2000

"There is sophisticated winemaking on display here. A substantial wine (harbouring 13.5% alcohol). It's deliciously fresh and tangy, with excellent depth of melon / lime flavours, finely balanced, punchy and lingering."
4½ Stars - Michael Cooper, Wine Star

1999 Vintage Lane Pinot Gris
Top Three - WineNZ Pinot Gris Tasting, 2001

1999 "La Reserve" CHARDONNAY
Bronze Medal - Top 100 Liquorland, 2000
Editor's Choice - Wine NZ March, 2001
Bronze Medal - International Chardonnay Challenge, 2001 (NZ)

"There are some lovely citrussy flavours in this Marlborough wine made with the influence of their French winemaker and yet it remains quite soft and complex."
- Martin Gillion, Wine NZ Editor's Choice, March 2001

1999 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Top Gold Medal - Red Hill Cool Climate Wine Show, 2000 (Australia)
Bronze Medal - International Japan Wine Challenge, 2000
Bronze Medal - Air New Zealand Wine awards, 1999
Top Gold Medal and Chairman's Award - Riverside International Wine Competition, 2000 (USA)
Commended - International Wine and Spirit Competition, London, 2000
4 Stars - Michael Cooper, Wine Star
Silver Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2000

1998 CHARDONNAY
Bronze Medal - Red Hill Cool Climate Wine Show, 1999 (Australia)
Bronze Medal - Top 100 Liquorland, 1999
4 Stars - Cuisine Magazine, May 1999

1998 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Bronze Medal - Top 100 Liquorland International Wine Competition, 1999 (NZ)
Bronze Medal - The Liquorland Royal Easter Show, 1999 (NZ)