Top NZ Wine Selection 2025
2025 was another big year with the number of wines I tasted, evaluated, reviewed and judged ever growing.
Mostly, these reviews are wines submitted to my Tasting Room then published on this website.
With my role at Rodd & Gunn now encompassing our six restaurants in Aotearoa NZ & Australia, a wine store with a focus on fine NZ wine at our Little Collins premises in Melbourne, (as well as continuing my roles as Beverage Feature Writer for MiNDFOOD Magazine and other print & online publications) life is increasingly exciting and busy.
During the year I made many visits to wine regions and wineries, and my various other activities include New Zealand Panel Chair for Decanter World Wine Awards in London, selector for the Hawkes Bay Chardonnay Challenge, participating in local & international wine shows, multiple wine tasting presentations & events around Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the USA.
I appreciate the support I receive within the Aotearoa NZ Wine Industry - it is clear these are not easy times to be growing, making & selling wines. The stories I hear reflect the deep commitment to excellence that prevails in our special sector. With that in mind, Janet and I have done a deep dive into the reviews I conducted formally this year, and have compiled a list of those particularly notable
Great wines deserved to be acknowledged.
Please note - there is no particular order to the wines listed - congratulations and warmest regards to all producers mentioned, and thank you again for sharing your exceptional work with me.
If you would like to share this acknowledgement and use the Top Wine 2025 digital sticker, please let me know, email or call - there will also be bottle stickers available.
Cameron Douglas Master Sommelier
Akarua Pinot Noir 'The Siren' 2023, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2022, Wanaka, Central Otago
Astrolabe Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Astrolabe Wrekin Chenin Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Ata Rangi Kahu Dry Riesling 2024, Martinborough
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2022, Martinborough
Ata Rangi 'Pōtikī' Chardonnay 2023, Martinborough
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Southern Valleys, Marlborough
B. Wine 'Lime Hill Vineyard' Chardonnay 2023, Wairarapa
Bald Hills Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Black Estate Damsteep Riesling 2024, North Canterbury
Black Estate 'Home Bottom Block' Chardonnay 2023, North Canterbury - 96 Points
Black Estate Home Bottom Block Chardonnay 2024, North Canterbury
Black Estate Netherwood Pinot Noir 2024, North Canterbury
Black Quail Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago
Blank Canvas 'Abstract' Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough
Blank Canvas 'Element Vineyard' Syrah 2020, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay - 96 Points
Blank Canvas 'Settlement Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2021, Marlborough - 96 Points
Blank Canvas 'Tano' Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough
Blank Canvas 'Upton Downs Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough - 96 Points
Blue Earth Pinot Noir 2020, Martinborough
Brave Roots Viognier 2024, Marlborough
Brick Bay Chardonnay 2022, Matakana
Brick Bay Petit Verdot 2022, Matakana
Cable Bay Estate Vineyard Syrah 2021, Waiheke Island
Calvert Pinot Noir 2022, Bannockburn, Central Otago - 96 Points
Carrick Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Organic Chardonnay 2022, Bannockburn, Central Otago - 96 Points
Carrick 'The Magnetic' Organic Pinot Noir 2022, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Church Road ‘Tom 1’ Single Vineyard Malbec - 96 Points
Church Road ‘TOM’ Syrah 2022
Clearview Estate Winery Enigma 2024, Hawke's Bay - 96 Points
Clearview Estate Winery Reserve Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay
Clearview Estate Winery Two Pinnacles Reserve Malbec 2024, Hawke's Bay
Clos Ostler EOS Pinot Noir 2022, Monopole, Waitaki Valley
Cloudy Bay Te Wāhi Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
Coal Pit ‘The Bear’ Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
Colere Southern Valleys Chenin Blanc 2022, Marlborough
Colere The Wrekin Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2021, Marlborough - 96 Points
Coniglio Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay
Craggy Range 'Aroha' Pinot Noir 2023, Te Muna, Martinborough
Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2022
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024, Martinborough
Destiny Bay 'Magna Praemia' 2022, Waiheke Island - 96 Points
Dicey Pinot Noir 2022, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2025, Marlborough
Dog Point Vineyard 'Section 94' Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough
Eaton Raupo Vineyard Chardonnay 2021, Marlborough
Elephant Hill Salomé Chardonnay 2023, Hawke's Bay
Elephant Hill Sea Chardonnay 2023, Hawke's Bay
Eva Pemper Single Vineyard Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Felton Road ‘Block 6’ Chardonnay 2024, Central Otago - 96 Points
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago - 97 Points
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago - 96 Points
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago - 96 Points
Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago
Felton Road Riesling Dry 2025, Central Otago - 96 Points
Framingham F-Series Riesling Auslese 2024, Marlborough
Framingham F-Series Riesling Kabinett 2024, Marlborough
Fromm 'Fromm Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough
Greenhough 'Road Block' Chardonnay 2021, Nelson
Greystone Pinot Noir 2021, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury
Greystone Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury
Greystone Wines Vineyard Ferment Syrah 2023, North Canterbury
Greywacke Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough
High Garden Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024, Gibbston, Central Otago
Hunter's MiruMiru Méthode Traditionnelle 2020, Marlborough
Huntress Chardonnay Tūrama 2024, Bridge Pa Triangle, Hawke's Bay
Huntress Syrah Mōkarakara 2024, Bridge Pa Triangle, Hawke's Bay
Jackson Estate 'Vintage Widow' Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough
Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Marlborough
Kinross 'Liquid Gold' Pinot Gris 2025, Gibbston, Central Otago
Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough
Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough
Leefield Station 'The Gatherer' Gewürztraminer 2024, Marlborough
Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago
Mahi The Wrekin Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough
Māori Point Grand Reserve Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, Central Otago
Māori Point Pinot Gris 2025, Central Otago
Matahiwi Estate Bruce Pinot Noir 2021, Wairarapa
Matt Connell Wines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, Bendigo, Central Otago
Matt Connell Wines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, Lowburn, Central Otago
Maude Mt Maude Chardonnay 2024, Wanaka, Central Otago - 96 Points
Mt Maude Vineyard Maude Dry Riesling 2016, Wanaka - 96 Points
Maude Pinot Noir 2024, Wanaka, Central Otago
Mills Reef Winery Elspeth One 2021, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay
Misha's Vineyard 'The Starlet' Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Central Otago
Misha's Vineyard 'Verismo' Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago - 96 Points
Mondillo Belle Reserve Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago - 96 Points
Mondillo Pinot Noir 2024, Central Otago
Monte Christo Winery Pinot Noir 2024, Alexandra, Central Otago
Mount Edward Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago
Nanny Goat Vineyard Single Vineyard Queensberry Chardonnay 2023, Central Otago
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Southern Valleys, Marlborough
Nautilus Late Disgorged Méthode Traditionnelle Brut NV, Marlborough
Nautilus Pinot Noir 2021, Southern Valleys, Marlborough
Neudorf Home Block Moutere Chardonnay 2024, Nelson - 96 Points
Neudorf Home Block Moutere Pinot Noir 2023, Nelson
Neudorf Rosie's Block 'Amphora' Chardonnay, Nelson
No1 Family Estate Cuvée Reine NV, Marlborough
No1 Family Estate NO1 Cuvee Methode Traditionnelle, NV, Marlborough
No1 Family Estate Reserve Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle, NV, Marlborough - 97 Points
Novum Riverbrook Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, Marlborough
Nuala Reserve Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago
Paddy Borthwick 'Left Hand' Pinot Noir 2021, Wairarapa
Palliser Estate ‘The Griffin’ Méthode Traditionnelle 2022, Martinborough
Palliser Estate 'Om Santi Vineyard' Chardonnay 2024, Martinborough
Palliser Estate Riesling 2024, Martinborough
Paritua Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Hawke's Bay
Paritua Syrah 2024, Hawke's Bay
Pask 'Declaration' Tawny 1998 Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay – 96 Points
Pegasus Bay 'Bel Canto' Dry Riesling 2024, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2024, North Canterbury
Pegasus Bay 'Virtuoso' Chardonnay 2021, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury - 96 Points
Peregrine Chardonnay 2024, Central Otago
Poppies Pinot Noir 2024, Martinborough
Poppies Syrah 2024, Martinborough - 96 Points
Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 2023, North Canterbury
Pyramid Valley Mānatu Chardonnay 2023, Central Otago
Pyramid Valley Sauvignon+ 2024, North Canterbury
Smith & Sheth CRU Cabernet Franc 2024, Heretaunga, Hawke's Bay
Q Wines Chardonnay 2024, Waitaki Valley
Q Wines Pinot Noir 2024, Waitaki Valley
Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs 2019, Central Otago
Quartz Reef Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle NV, Central Otago
Quartz Reef Single Ferment Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago - 96 Points
Rockburn 'Eleven Barrels' Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago
Rockburn 'Seven Barrels' Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago
ROHE Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Bull Paddock Vineyard by Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Dillons Point, Marlborough
Saint Clair Family Estate Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2024, Marlborough
Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough
SOHO Family Vineyards Reserve JC 2021, Waiheke Island
Squawking Magpie ‘The Nest’ 2022 (Merlot, Cab Sav, Malbec blend.
Squawking Magpie 'Gravels' Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay
Stonecroft Reserve Syrah 2022
Te Kano Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Northburn, Central Otago
te Pā Oke Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Te Whare Ra TWR Single Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2024, Marlborough
Te Whare Ra TWR Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2024, Marlborough
Te Whare Ra TWR Single Vineyard Syrah 2024, Marlborough – 97 Points
Te Whare Ra TWR 'Toru' 2024, Marlborough
The Boneline Sharkstone Chardonnay 2023, Waipara
The Boneline Waimanu Pinot Noir 2021, Waipara
The Landing Chardonnay 2024, Bay of Islands
Tohu Rewa Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle 2018, Marlborough
Tony Bish 'Golden Egg' Chardonnay 2024, Hawkes Bay
Tony Bish Single Vineyard Skeetfield Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay
Tony Bish Two Terraces Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay
Tony Bish Zen Chardonnay 2024, Hawke's Bay - 97 Points
Trinity Hill 'Homage' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay-97 Points
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve ‘The First Paddock’ Pinot Noir 2022 - 96 Points,
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve ‘The Fusilier’ Pinot Noir 2022, Bannockburn Vineyard - 96 Points
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve ‘The Last Chance’ Pinot Noir 2022, Earnscleugh Vineyard
Two Paddocks Proprietor’s Reserve ‘The Major General’ Pinot Noir 2022
Two Rivers 'Brookby Hill' Pinot Noir 2021, Southern Valleys, Marlborough
Two Rivers 'The Spring' Chardonnay 2022, Wairau Valley, Marlborough
Windrush Organic Empire Chardonnay 2024, Marlborough
Wooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago
Zephyr Organic Riesling 2024, Marlborough
