Wine and Beverage Reviews

All Cam's wine and beverage reviews use the 100-point scale:

Outstanding 95 - 100 PointsA great wine. Cellar worthy. Impeccably made. — Outstanding 95 - 100 Points
A great wine
Cellar worthy
Impeccably made

Very Good to ExcellentA wine with concentration, texture, character and quality — Very Good to Excellent
A wine with concentration, texture, character and quality

PremiumA wine with special qualities — Premium
A wine with special qualities.
Also available, 92 Point only Stickers

RecommendedA wine that is well made, immediately drinkable and will not disappoint — Recommended
A wine that is well made, immediately drinkable and should not disappoint

Recently Tasted

Man O' War Pinque Rosé 2024, Waiheke Island

Man O' War Pinque Rosé 2024, Waiheke Island

Ideal drinking for Summer 2025…

2024, Rose, RoséCameron DouglasNovember 22, 2024Man O' War, Pinque, Rosé, rose, Waiheke Island

Coopers Creek 'Limeworks' Chardonnay 2023, Hawkes Bay

Coopers Creek 'Limeworks' Chardonnay 2023, Hawkes Bay

Full-bodied and creamy

2023, ChardonnayCameron DouglasNovember 20, 2024Coopers Creek, Limeworks, Chardonnay, 2023, Hawkes Bay

Catalina Sounds 'Sound of White' Single Vineyard Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Marlborough

Catalina Sounds 'Sound of White' Single Vineyard Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Marlborough

The scents of barrel ferment are distinctive in the bouquet with a soft gentle spice and mineral earth complexity followed by scents of apples and grapefruit….

2022, Sauvignon BlancCameron DouglasNovember 13, 2024Catalina Sounds, Sound of White, Single Vineyard, Barrel Fermented, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, Appellation Marlborough Wine

Unison 'Bumble Bee' Pinot Gris 2024, Hawke's Bay

Unison 'Bumble Bee' Pinot Gris 2024, Hawke's Bay

This is a totally fun wine…

2024, Pinot Gris, Vegan FriendlyCameron DouglasNovember 13, 2024Unison, Bumble Bee, Pinot Gris, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay, Vegan friendly

Barone Montalto Ammasso Rosso Sicilia DOC 2020, Italy

Barone Montalto Ammasso Rosso Sicilia DOC 2020, Italy

Dry with core red berry flavours, mineral earth, easy tannins and acid line.

2020, Red blendCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Barone Montalto, Ammasso, Rosso Sicilia, Italy

Frisson Pinot Noir 2023, Martinborough

Frisson Pinot Noir 2023, Martinborough

Fragrant, floral and enticing.

2023, Pinot NoirCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Frisson, Pinot Noir, Martinborough

Elephant Hill Hieronymus Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux Blend 2021, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill Hieronymus Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux Blend 2021, Hawke's Bay

A bouquet of intrigue and power, concentration and complexity.

2021, Bordeaux Style Left Bank, Red blendCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Elephant Hill, Hieronymous, Red Blend, Bordeaux Style, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels

Elephant Hill 'Airavata' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill 'Airavata' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Fabulous bouquet and palate

2022, SyrahCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Elephant Hill, Airavata, syrah, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill 'Stone' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill 'Stone' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Taut and youthful with a mix of violets and red berries, a complete wine…

2022, SyrahCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Elephant Hill, Stone, syrah, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay

Barton & Guestier Patriarche Pere & Fils Cremant de Bourgogne Brut NV, France

Barton & Guestier Patriarche Pere & Fils Cremant de Bourgogne Brut NV, France

A complete wine

Non Vintage, NV, Crémant, CremantCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Patriarche Pere & Fils, Cremant de Bourgogne, Non Vintage, France

Barton & Guestier Patriarche Pere & Fils Chardonnay Brut NV, France

Barton & Guestier Patriarche Pere & Fils Chardonnay Brut NV, France

A lovely fruit and lees lifted bouquet with aromas of brioche and oatmeal biscuit then apple and citrus…

Non Vintage, NV, SparklingCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Patriarche Pere & Fils, Non Vintage, France

Elephant Hill 'Earth' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill 'Earth' Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay

Lengthy, balanced and well made with best drinking from day of purchase through 2030.

2022, SyrahCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Elephant Hill, Earth, syrah, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay

Paritua 'The Platinum Collection' Duet Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Hawkes Bay

Paritua 'The Platinum Collection' Duet Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Hawkes Bay

Full-bodied, powerful and dry.

2021, CabernetsCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Paritua, Duet, 2021, Hawkes Bay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Bannock Brae 'Crawford's Block' Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago

Bannock Brae 'Crawford's Block' Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago

Balanced, well made, complex and ready to drink from day pf purchase through 2029.

2020, Pinot Noir, VeganCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Bannock Brae, Crawford's Block, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, Vegan

Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough

Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough

Dry, firm, youthful, a taut squeeze and salivating impact with flavours of dark berries and plums begin to fill the palate.

2023, Pinot NoirCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Jules Taylor, Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Les Lys Vouvray Sec 2022, France

Les Lys Vouvray Sec 2022, France

2022, VouvrayCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Les Lys, Vouvray, Sec, France

Tony Bish 'Heartwood' Chardonnay 2023, Hawke's Bay

Tony Bish 'Heartwood' Chardonnay 2023, Hawke's Bay

Delicious and well made with best drinking from late 2024 through 2029.

2023, ChardonnayCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Tony Bish, Heartwood, chardonnay, Hawke's Bay, Hawkes Bay

Elephant Hill 'Sea' Chardonnay 2022, Hawke's Bay

Elephant Hill 'Sea' Chardonnay 2022, Hawke's Bay

Complex and well made with a frame of wood and fruit tannins, medium+ acidity and lengthy finish.

2022, ChardonnayCameron DouglasNovember 12, 2024Elephant Hill, Sea, chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay