The Mayor 2011

18.5/20 Points

“Very dark, full, near impenetrable, purple hued ruby-red colour. The well-proportioned nose is very concentrated and packed with aromas of ripe, dark berry fruits lifted with fragrances of raspberries intermixed with violets. Nuances of oak spices and earthy black fruits emerge in the glass. Medium-full bodied, attractively lifted dark red berry fruit flavours and red floral elements are complexed by layers of exotic black fruits and spicy oak. Very fine-grained tannins underline the fruit, with lively acidity a feature, providing liveliness and energy. The structure and acidity carry through to a refined and sustained finish of spicy fruit and oak. This is a seriously constructed wine with fragrant red fruits and spices and the freshness to match roasted lamb and beef over the next 8-10+ years.”

Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, May 2012

 ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2  (4 1/2 Stars)

“Approachable young, this is a rich, very vibrant and smooth blend of cabernet franc (45%), petit verdot (33%), and malbec (22%). Matured in French oak casks (33% new), it is boldly coloured, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and nut flavours, finely textured and smooth. Best drinking 2015+.”

Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, upcoming issue July/Aug 2013

The Obsidian 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars)

“It's beautifully fragrant showing classic Bordeaux aromas of cassis, dark plum, cigar, and subtle game complexity. The palate is concentrated and elegantly framed with lovely ripeness and velvety texture, leading to a superbly long dry finish backed by plenty of polished tannins. Beautifully harmonised and balanced for graceful development. A blend of 35% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 15% cabernet franc, 13% petit verdot & 6% malbec. At its best: 2013 to 2020.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Issue 20, 2012

90/100 Points

“Finely-textured wine with fruit supported by fine, ripe tannins. Hints of floral with red berry, spice and nuttty oak. Surprisingly accessible”

Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.com

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2  (4 1/2 Stars)

“The Obsidian Vineyard at Onetangi produces one of the most stylish Waiheke Island reds. Deeply coloured, it is youthful, concentrated and savoury, with strong blackcurrant, spice and nut flavours, firm and lingering”

Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide 2012

The Obsidian 2008

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars)

“Looking set for a decade, but already approachable, this powerful Waiheke Island, claret-style red is based primarily on cabernet sauvignon (38%) and merlot (30%). Dark and rich, with dense, ripe flavours of blackcurrants, plum and spices. A top vintage.”

Michael Cooper, Recent Releases, Winestate Magazine, July/Aug 2010 & Michael Cooper’s Wine Buyers Guide 2011.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars)

“This is striking and very, very impressive. A youthful wine diplaying cassis, dark plum, dried herb and subtle oak characters on the nose. The palate is concentrated and focused, but not heavy, showing fine texture and firm, chalky tannins. The wine is superbly structured and has so much potential. This is one of the best Bordeaux-style reds of the vintage and should be in every serious collector's cellar. At its best: 2012 to 2022.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Issue 11, 2010

SILVER MEDAL
International Wine Challenge 2012

19/20 Points

“Very dark, deep, ruby red, with purple hues; this had a restrained bouquet of cassis, liquorice, and dark fruits, lifted by a floral note. On palate, there was richness, depth and concentration of red and black berry fruits framed within a classically structured extraction and good fresh acidity. This is a soberly defined wine with very good length, albeit somewhat closed at present. It should develop well over the next decade.”

Raymond Chan, Regional Wines, 27 July 2010

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars)

“Bigger, richer than the 09 dark and red fruits plus oak. Riper and longer. Intense with good power. Approachable but with obvious potential”

Bob Campbell MW, www.bobcampbell.com Feb. 2011 

Weeping Sands Cab/Merlot 2008

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars - 18.5/20 points)

“Very dark, black-hued ruby-red colour, the nose is densely concentrated with solid, ripe, earthy black fruits and cassis, the bouquet quite brooding. Full-bodied with very ripe, rich blackcurrant fruit flavours, this has layers of black plums, earth and cedar that emerge. The palate is fully-extracted and the robust structure balances the fruit sweetness. There is good tension from the acidity, and the wine shows the potential to develop well over the next 8-10+ years. Match with hearty red meat dishes.

Raymond Chan, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, October 2011

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars)

“Medium-deep red /purple in colour, this is a magnificent red from the great 2008 vintage in Waiheke, made by the outstanding team at Obsidian Vineyard. The nose is beautifully perfumed displaying cassis, dried herb, dark plum and spice characters. The palate is ripe and generously flavoured with lovely richness and fine, firm tannins providing a superb structure. At its best: now to 2016.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Issue 15, March 2011

SILVER MEDAL
NZ International Wine Show 2011

★ ★ ★ ★ (4 Stars)

“Generous, deeply coloured red, offering top value by the island’s standards. Full-bodied and smooth, with strong, ripe blackcurrants, plum and spice flavours and a hint of sweet oak.”

Michael Cooper, Recent Releases, Winestate Magazine, July/Aug 2011

SILVER MEDAL
Upper North Island Challenge 2011

The Obsidian 2007

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 Stars - 95 points)

“Texture is what Waiheke reds do well and this is one of the best I’ve experienced. It has a rich, silken texture that’s totally seductive. The flavours are a medley of red and black berries, classy oak and Oriental spices. Very impressive indeed.”

Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine Nov 2009

91 points 

“The 2007 Obsidian (cab/merlot) has a very fine tobacco tinged nose with blackberry, smoke and a touch of lapsong souchang. The palate is medium-bodies, well balanced with fine tannins. Bordeaux- influenced, this is akin to a very fine Cru Bourgeois. Lovely focus, a little austerity and fresh tobacco on the dry finish. Classy stuff from one of Waiheke upcoming stars! Drink 2010-2017.”

Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, Oct 2009, www.eRobertParker.com

★ ★ ★ ★ 1⁄2 ( 4 1⁄2 Stars)

“The Obsidian Vineyard at Onetangi produces one of the most stylish claret-style reds on Waiheke Island.... It’s a supple, mouthfilling wine generous blackcurrent, plum, spice and herb flavours, showing good complexity and already drinking well. Drink 2009-2012”

Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to NZ Wines 2010.

Weeping Sands Cab/Merlot 2007

★ ★ ★ ★ (4 Stars)

“Deeply coloured, with a spicy bouquet and firm blackcurrant and spice flavours, its an age-worthy wine with savoury, earthy notes adding complexity. Compared to most of the Island’s reds, this is well priced.”

Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to NZ Wines 2010.

The Obsidian 2005

92/100 points

“It’s dense yet elegant wine with a silken, almost chewy texture that’s typical of Waiheke Island reds. A solid dominant, spicy French oak adds complexity.”

Gourmet Traveller, 100 Top New Releases Aug/Sept 2008.

18.5/20 points

“ Elegant and fragrant on the nose, but with a real core and concentration. A wine with powerful extraction and structure, there was ripe and sweet fruit succulence behind the tannins. This will easily cellar 10-15 yrs.”

Raymond Chan, Regional Wines & Spirits, Oct 08

★ ★ ★ ★ 1⁄2 (4 1⁄2 Stars)

“The Obsidian vineyard at Onetangi produces one of the most stylish claret-style reds on Waiheke Island... full-coloured, with a fragrant, spicy, slightly herbal bouquet, strongly suggestive of Cabernet Sauvignon, it is impressively concentrated and firm, with youthful, savoury, complex flavours. Built to last, it needs time, open mid 2008+ ”

Michael Cooper, Buyer’s Guide 2008

88/100 points

“A very fine nose: very Medocian with notes of smoke, cedar and pine all with good definition. Medium-bodied, juicy black fruits, plum, blackberry, damson. Clean finish and well balanced..”

The Wine Advocate, www.eRobertParker.com Issue #176 April 2008

★ ★ ★ ★ 1⁄2 (4 1⁄2 Stars)

“Still youthful, this Waiheke red is blended almost entirely from equal portions of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The colour is full and bright; the flavours very fresh and lively, with blackcurrant, plum and spice notes starting to develop real complexity. It should be long-lived; open 2010 onwards.”

Winestate Magazine Sept/Oct 2008