We love sharing our wines and hearing what people have to say about their Radburnd experience. If you want to let us know your thoughts just tag us in via @radburndcellars.

Below is some of our favourite Radburnd wine reviews and stories.

Events

The Rees Culinary Series with Radburnd Cellars

Friday 20th May, $165.00pp

The Rees Hotel, Queenstown

Enjoy a delicious 5 course meal hand crafted by Executive Chef Corey Hume paired with 5 wines from Radburnd Cellars.

Click here for ticketing and information.

Wine Reviews

Cam Douglas, April 2022

Radburnd Chardonnay 2020

97 points - Outstanding

Fantastic bouquet, complex and new, a core of ripe yellow and white fleshed orchard fruit, grapefruit and lemon then layers of leesy and French oak scents. A silky-cream texture touches the palate first then a core of myriad fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet along with a sound and judicious use of oak. Fine wood tannins and a roasted nut complexity, medium+ acidity and lengthy complex finish. Fantastic wine, ready for drinking from late 2022 through 2030+.

Bob Campbell MW - The Real Review, Feb 2022

Radburnd Chardonnay 2020

96/100 ★★★★★

Seamless, silken-textured chardonnay with grapefruit, citrus, nectarine, apricot, mandarin blossom, ginger and nutty barrel fermentation characters. A sophisticated, complex wine that is deliciously approachable now but promises to develop well with bottle age. 2022 - 2028.

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit, Feb 2022

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019

96 - ★★★★★

Sweetly ripe and splendidly complex with blackcurrant, Black Doris plum, green olive, floral and cedar nuances, it’s gorgeously refined in the mouth displaying fine texture and polished tannins. Classically styled with sophistication, structure and persistence. At its best: 2024 to 2035.

Bob Campbell MW - The Real Review, Feb 2022

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019

96/100 ★★★★★

Intense, seamless red from a stellar vintage. It shows old-vine density with a silken texture and berry, spice, floral, violet and classy French oak. A wine of subtlety, with impressive underlying power demonstrated by a lingering finish. Kate Radburnd claims it will age beautifully. I agree.

Candice Chow, Feb 2022

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019

19+/20 (96)

Deep, full ruby-red, lighter on edge. The nose is elegantly presented, softly with deep aromas of red plum, cassis, layered herbaceous vine leaf, menthol, violet, unveiling liquorice, cedar, nutmeg. Full-bodied, aromas of red plums, cassis form a radiant core, intertwined vine leaf, peppermint, black liquorice, delicate oak spice, black pepper and cedar lend a lasting sustained finish. The fruit is youthful succulent with excellent depth and acidity balance. Fine-grained tannin framed a fine structure and a velvety mouthfeel. This Merlot-Cabernet shows refined fruit and oak details; it possesses complex aromatic layers, suave structure and age-ability. Match with beef wellington and venison loin over the next 10+ years.

Cam Douglas, Feb 2022

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019

96 points - Outstanding

Another benchmark from Kate Radburnd. Made with 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon delivering a bouquet of baking spices and dark plum, blackberry and sweet tobacco. A layer of leesy savoury complexity adds breadth and depth. Youthful too with a fresh appeal and violet lift. Classic flavours and textures on the palate with a core of ripe soft plum fruits cushioned my oak sweetness and fine tannin structure. The cabernet delivers the muscle and power with a stony mineral core and flavours of dark berries then violet and olive. Very lengthy finish, this wine’s a keeper.

Great drinking today and through 2034+.

Michael Cooper Buyer's Guide Edition, 2022

Radburnd Syrah 2019

★★★★★ (5stars)
The refined, youthful 2019 vintage (5*) was hand-picked in the Bridge Pa Triangle and at Roy's Hill, and matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Full-coloured, it is a very age-worthy red, fresh, flowing and supple, with concentrated, vigorous, plum/spice flavours, oak complexity, and a seductively smooth texture. Best drinking 2024+.

Cam Douglas, Sep 2021

Radburnd Syrah 2019

96 points - Outstanding

Complex and layered bouquet with scents of red and purple skinned fruits, a distinctive layer of French oak and Hawkes Bay crushed stones minerality. Youthful, primary and alluring. Fantastic structure on the palate with an abundance of ripe chalky tannins and backbone of acidity. This foundation embraces the flavours of dark red berries and spices, barrel flavours, some wild violets and soft savoury complexity. Excellent mouthfeel and finish, complexity and charm. Don’t rush to drink this wine - its one for the cellar with best drinking from 2023 through 2030+

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sep 2021

Radburnd Syrah 2019

98/100 ★★★★★

This is reminiscent of a top-notch Hermitage. Exquisitely graceful yet immensely powerful. The elegantly perfumed bouquet shows Black Doris plum, violet, thyme, clove and roasted nut characters with a hint of gamey complexity. The concentrated palate exhibits impressive depth together with seamlessly flowing mouthfeel backed by layers of fine tannins, finishing persistent and engaging. The wine offers scintillating clarity as well as seductive complexity.

A superstar Syrah. At its best: 2024 to 2036.

Bob Campbell MW - The Real Review

Radburnd Syrah 2019, Sep 2021

96/100 ★★★★★

Dense, elegant Syrah that is delightfully supple with dark berry, violet, black pepper, anise and spicy oak flavours. Delicious wine that can be appreciated now but should develop well with bottle age. A very impressive wine from an excellent vintage. 2021–2033

Michael Cooper Buyer's Guide Edition, 2022

Radburnd Chardonnay 2019

★★★★★ (5stars)

The stylish 2019 vintage (5*) was grown at three sites in Mangatahi, Bridge Pa and the Dartmoor Valley. Hand-harvested, it was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (new and one year-old). Bright, light lemon/green, it looks set for a long life, showing an impressive combination of richness and restraint, power and delicacy. Mouthfilling, with deep, vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, and finely integrated oak, it should break into full stride 2024+.

Huon Hooke, May 2021

Radburnd Chardonnay 2018

95/100 – 5 stars

Light to medium-yellow colour, with a complex bouquet that showcases buttery popcorn notes, nougat and toast. The wine is medium to full-bodied and rich, with sustained flavour and lovely balance, the flavours lingering on and on superbly. Slightly oaky finish is the only quibble, and it's a small one. 2021–2027.

Huon Hooke, May 2021

Radburnd Syrah 2018

96/100 - 5 stars

Deep red colour with a good purple tint and a fragrant blackberry, dried herb and gently chocolaty bouquet. The wine is full-bodied and well-endowed with fine, supple but gently drying tannins. Very attractive aroma and flavour, with a charming fruit-sweet core. Long finish; beautiful texture. It's highly attractive now and should take some age very well. 2021–2030

Huon Hooke, May 2021

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2018

96/100 – 5 stars

Deepish red colour with a good purple tint and a spicy berry bouquet: floral, ripely perfumed and very appealing. The wine is soft and fleshy, round and supple, with generous flavour and elegant styling. The tannins are silky-smooth and beautifully ripe. A quite delicious wine that drinks superbly now but should also cellar well for several years. 2021–2031

Bob Campbell MW, May 2021
Radburnd Chardonnay 2019

96/100 ★★★★★

A favourable vintage and old vine Mendoza clone chardonnay have conspired to produce a wonderfully intense, lively wine that is a delight to drink. A seamless, vibrant wine that's deliciously accessible now but should develop well over the next few years. 2021–2026

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2021

Radburnd Chardonnay 2019

97/100 ★★★★★

This is a stunning beauty; exquisitely composed and expressed showing nectarine, lemon peel, nougat, hazelnut and oatmeal aromas on the nose, followed by an impressively concentrated palate offering outstanding fruit purity combined with discreet oak infusion. It's refined and flowing to a persistent seamless finish. At its best: 2023 to 2031

Bob Campbell MW, June 2020
Radburnd Chardonnay 2018

95/100 ★★★★★

Concentrated, powerful chardonnay with citrus, tree fruit, peach, struck-flint, mineral, hazelnut and brioche flavours. A seamless, sophisticated wine that’s a pleasure to taste now but promises to develop well with bottle age. 2020-2025

Radburnd Syrah 2018, September 2020

95/100 ★★★★★

Gently aromatic syrah with roasted chestnut, floral, violet, sweet herbs, raspberry, plum and spicy oak flavours. A supple, elegant wine with appealing sweet fruit and a silken texture. Should develop well with bottle age. 2020–2030

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2018, September 2020

94/100 ★★★★

Delicately aromatic and seamless red with floral, violet, blackcurrant bud, fresh herbs, raspberry, and spicy flavours. A backbone of fine, drying tannins suggests cellaring potential. 2020–2030

Michael Cooper Buyer's Guide Edition, 2021

Radburnd Chardonnay 2018

★★★★★ (5 stars)

The classy, youthful 2018 vintage (5*) was grown at Mangatahi and Bridge Pa, hand-picked and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak puncheons and barriques (new and seasoned). Full of potential, it is mouthfilling and highly concentrated, with deep, citrusy, peachy flavours, woven with fresh acidity, finely integrated oak, and impressive vigour, complexity and length. A top debut, it's well worth cellaring to 2022+.

Radburnd Syrah 2018 ★★★★★ (5stars)

The refined 2018 vintage (5*) was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and in the Dartmoor Valley, hand-picked, and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, fresh and supple, with strong plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity, and a finely poised finish. A very elegant style, it has obvious cellaring potential; best drinking 2025+.

Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2018 ★★★★✰ (4.5 Stars)

The debut 2018 vintage (4.5*) is from mature vines grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and 'on the gravels'. Hand-picked, it is a blend of Merlot (70 per cent) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30 per cent), matured for 21 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Full-coloured, with a fragrant, savoury bouquet, it is an elegant, youthful red, with ripe plum/spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, and a fairly firm finish. Restrained in its youth, but showing excellent concentration and complexity, it's well worth cellaring to 2023+.

Geoff Kelly, June 2020

2018 Radburnd Cellars Chardonnay

18 ½ + ★★★★★

A perfect shining lemon, nearly a hint of green, a great young chardonnay colour. Bouquet is sweet, ripe, nearly floral, classic young mendoza-clone chardonnay with its hint of yen-ben citrus aromatics, on golden queen peachy fruit. Below is lees-contact complexity and fragrant yet subtle oak which immediately deepens the bouquet, and draws you in, so you are itching to taste the wine. Palate is vibrant with fresh acid against good fruit, the acid making the oak a little more noticeable now, but it will marry away. On taste alone, you almost wonder if it is a non-MLF wine, on the varietal purity of the yellow-fleshed fruit, plus the long natural acid. Not so. And the subtlety of the high-solids fraction is superb. This is a cellaring chardonnay par excellence, like Tony Bish’s Rifleman showing the advantages of the cooler inland districts of Hawkes Bay, for quality chardonnay. Cellar 10 – 20 years.

Merlot Cabernet 2019 Hawke’s Bay

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