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.
Upcoming Events
Cellar Door Collective
Every Saturday & Sunday
11:00am - 4:00pm
305 Ngatarawa Road, Hastings 4175
We're excited to announce a new initiative at Radburnd Cellars with the launch of our Cellar Door Collective!
We've invited three outstanding producers without cellar doors to join Bostock Wines and ourselves in our beautiful space- the Stables.
Amoise Wines
Chateau Garage
Wines by Jenny Dobson
Together, we're bringing you a tasting experience that celebrates some of the best Hawke’s Bay wines- hosted by the iconic John Hancock.
Each winery will have 2 wines on tasting (total of 10 wines to sample) free of charge!
We've invited three outstanding producers without cellar doors to join Bostock Wines and ourselves in our beautiful space- the Stables.
Amoise Wines
Chateau Garage
Wines by Jenny Dobson
Together, we're bringing you a tasting experience that celebrates some of the best Hawke’s Bay wines- hosted by the iconic John Hancock.
Each winery will have 2 wines on tasting (total of 10 wines to sample) free of charge!
Wine Reviews
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Radburnd Chardonnay 2020
97/100 ★★★★★
A spectacular offering combining grace and power; the immensely appealing bouquet shows golden peach, fig, lemon sorbet and vanillin oak characters with a hint of brioche. The powerfully concentrated palate delivers both refinement and richness, brilliantly framed by bright acidity. With a symphony of seductive flavours, it’s flatteringly classy and impeccably detailed with layers of exquisite textures and flavours. At its best: now to 2032.
Radburnd Syrah 2020
98/100 ★★★★★
It's seductively expressed on the nose showing dark plum, bouquet garni, cedar, cured meat and rich floral aromas. The concentrated palate is both refined and robust, displaying outstanding weight and depth, wonderfully enhanced by seamlessly flowing mouthfeel and finely infused tannins. The wine combines exceptional fruit purity with alluring complexity, finishing immensely long and gratifying.
Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2020
98/100 ★★★★★
Exhibiting elegance with power, this gracefully composed Bordeaux-style red shows blackcurrant, subtle tobacco, olive, cedar and violet aromas on the nose. The palate delivers exceptional focus and concentration, together with refined texture and multi-layered mouthfeel, leading to a classically structured, persistent finish. Sophisticated and captivating. At its best: 2026 to 2040.
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
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
Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019
96/100 ★★★★★
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.
Radburnd Chardonnay 2018
96/100 ★★★★★
Immensely complex and engaging with ripe peach, grapefruit, oatmeal and roasted cashew characters with a hint of savoury nuance. The palate is substantial yet refined and sophisticated, delivering awesome depth and richness backed by firm acidity, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2028.
Cam Douglas, MW
Radburnd Chardonnay 2020
97/100 - 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+.
Radburnd Syrah 2020
97/100 - Outstanding
Aromas of complexity and youth, dark plums and black raspberry, medium baking spice layers from barrel and soil, there’s an amazing amount of depth and purity with some licorice and spice layers, a whisper of red peppercorn spice and youthful enticing vibrato. Absolutely delicious on the palate, pure, ripe, fresh, youthful, taut, harmonious and new. Fruit flavours reflect the bouquet along with layers of barrel flavours and mineral. Tannins are ripe, polished, abundant and fine, acidity sets the back bone in place.
Radburnd Syrah 2019
96/100 - 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+
Radburnd Merlot Cabernet 2019
96/100 - 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+
Huon Hooke, AUS
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.
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
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, NZ
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.
Radburnd Syrah 2020
96/100 ★★★★★
Elegant rather than blockbuster Syrah which nonetheless reveals plenty of underlying power. Fine-grained red with layers of fruit, floral and savoury flavours that reveal a truly complex wine. I noted violet, new leather, cassis, black pepper and mixed spice. A backbone of ripe tannins suggests ageing potential.
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
Radburnd Syrah 2019
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
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.
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
Radburnd Syrah 2018
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
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
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+.
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+.
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+.
Radburnd Chardonnay 2018
★★★★★ (5 stars)
The classy, youthful 2018 vintage (5*). 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*).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*). 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+.
