Haven’t been to the tastings at Liquorland Riccarton for a while but thought with winter coming on, the winter Warmers tasting sounded great – a good turnout, caught up with some friends and tasted our way through one white and 8 reds from both NZ and Aussie.

Braddon put together a great line-up tonight as always – wines in order of tasting, rrp, my score.

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2010, Hawkes Bay, $40, 9/10

Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2009, Hawkes Bay $27, 8.5/10

Black Barn Merlot / Cab Franc 2011 Hawke’s Bay $29, 8/10

Walnut Block Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, $29, 8/10

The Third Man Pinot Noir 2009, Waipara, $29, 7.5/10

Johhny Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Aus, $18, 9/10

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Cabernet / Shiraz / Petit Verdot 2010, Aus, $18, 9/10

Wynns Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Aus, $30, 9.5/10

Geoff Merrill Reserve Shiraz 2005, Aus, $60, 9.5/10