I’m in the lounge at Auckland airport heading to Hong Kong and then Thailand. Flight delayed by a few hours, so time to try all the lounge wines. Airlines don’t have much money to spend on lounge wines because passengers chug a lot of wine while they are waiting, so it’s always interesting to see what they have on offer. The pick of the bunch here is a back vintage of the Craggy Range Single Vineyard Syrah.

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Syrah 2012 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
With a few years under its belt, this is nicely expressive with sleek black cherry and blackberry fruit as well as some subtle pepper and olive tapenade characters. There’s a nice fleshiness here as well as a bit of grip. Very appealing with good balance. Midweight and digestible. 93/100

Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 New Zealand
Mealy and spicy with stony citrus and pear fruit, as well as some pineapple. Lively finish. 90/100

Trinity Hill Chardonnay 2016 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Lively with nice citrus and pear fruit. Had a bit of creaminess. Juicy finish. Fresh fruit driven style. 88/100

Saint Clair Premium Pinot Noir 2016 Marlborough, New Zealand
I was quite impressed by this. Supple and juicy with cherry and plum fruit. Has some nice spicy character and a bit of damson bitterness. Nice texture here. Very drinkable. 91/100

Thornbury Pinot Noir 2016 Central Otago, New Zealand
Juicy and plummy with some red cherry fruit. Rounded with nice fruit. It’s a lighter-styled approachable Pinot with no rough edges, and although this isn’t complex, it’s very drinkable. 88/100

Vidal Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Nice grainy cherry and berry fruit with a twist of black currant. Has some structure and appealing sweetness to the fruit. Satisfying and balanced. 90/100

Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand
This is attractive and well made. It’s simple, fruity and quite pretty. Has some sweetness. Tropical notes dominate. 87/100

Vidal Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand
Tight, herbal, lively and citrussy. Has keen acidity and a bit of pithiness. Nice bright style with good concentration of flavour. 88/100

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand
Grapey, fruity and a bit stoney. Dry with an appealing savouriness. Has some flavour. Considering the vintage conditions, this is a solid wine. 88/100