Jack, our Stockholm-based reporter covering the monopoly (Systembolaget) launches gives our Swedish readers a report every month on the new wines. In this overview article we have assembled all red wines from New Zealand launched in the last 12 month at Systembolaget. The report includes Jack’s point score for the wine on a 20-point scale (his scoring level is rather low compared to others so a 16-pointer is pretty good), his evaluation of value for money as well as his description of the wines.
These are wines launched in Sweden, but most of them are also available in other countries so we want to share the review of these New Zealand wines also with our English language readers. (Every month we publish a report on the launches at Systembolaget, but only in Swedish.)
This is part of our New Zealand campaign to make you discover the wealth of wines, with breadth and depth, coming from New Zealand. Far from “sauvignon blanc only”. We also hop that this can entice you to join our New Zealand wine tour in March. An amazing wine tour.
Read more about New Zealand in these articles:
- Anna Flowerday talks manure at Te Whare Ra in Marlborough
- The unforgettable spectacle of Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, with its glacier
- New Zealand all around with Pinot Noir
- Trailblazer in Hawke’s Bay, a conversation with the winemaker at Black Barn Vineyards
- Wine recommendations from New Zealand focusing on smaller producers
- Unison Vineyard, a pioneer in Gimblett Gravels
- Master of Wine Emma Jenkins: What has changed in New Zealand
- Who is the king of sauvignon blanc, France or New Zealand?
- Sauvignon blanc easy to recognize, but soil type makes a big difference
But now to the wines!
These, then, are the wines we have had the chance to taste over the past twelve months from New Zealand in the monopoly launch tastings. This covers all the red wines from New Zealand that we have tasted. It’s interesting to note that the scores are relatively high (in Jack’s terms) and that value for money is usually favourable.
It’s clear that the Swedish market (where these wines were launched during the last 12 months) prioritises white (and sparkling) wines from New Zealand. The “past 12 months” selection has 19 whites and sparkling wines, and 7 reds. This is of course to be expected given the reputation New Zealand has, above all based on its characterful sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough.
Of the 19 whites, it’s encouraging that there’s more than just sauvignon blanc: 5 chardonnays and one albariño. But there’s actually a lot more! Riesling, gewürztraminer, chenin, even fiano…
The red selection is dominated by pinot noir – no surprise, as New Zealand is one of the world’s leading countries for pinot noir, from Central Otago, but not only from there. There are also two syrah wines. Very good syrah is made, especially in Hawke’s Bay. But outstanding cabernet sauvignon is also made, not least on Waiheke Island, as well as sangiovese, grenache, cabernet franc and much more.
It’s truly exciting to discover the great variety of wines New Zealand produces when travelling among its various wine regions.
The price indicated is the approximate retail price in Sweden in SEK converted to euro.
BKWine’s assessment of New Zealand red wines launched by (or through) Systembolaget over the past 12 months
Pinot Noir 2023, Dog Point Vineyards
Price: €33.73, Launch: 2026-03-13
New Zealand, Marlborough
Tasting note:
Youthful pinot noir with animal notes and austere fruit, tannins, floral and a touch herbal with dill, long finish, extract-rich.
BKWine Score: 16.0 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 5–10 years.
Dog Point Vineyard was founded in 2002 by Ivan Sutherland and James Healy, who had previously worked together at Cloudy Bay – Sutherland as viticulturist, Healy as winemaker. The estate is located at the confluence of the Omaka and Brancott valleys in Marlborough and is still owned by the founding families. The vineyard is certified organic (BioGro), and the grapes are hand-harvested. Site: Dog Point Vineyard
More on BKWine Magazine: Favourite picks from the Altia wine range.
Loop Road Pinot Noir 2022, Quartz Reef
Price: €23.94, Launch: Launched
New Zealand, Central Otago, Bendigo
Tasting note:
Young, cool-climate pinot noir, extract-rich, tight, charcuterie notes, red berries, refined style, ok tannins.
BKWine Score: 15.5 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 5–7 years.
Quartz Reef was founded in 1996 by Rudi Bauer together with Trevor Scott and John Perriam in Bendigo, Central Otago. The vineyard covers around 30 hectares and is certified organic (BioGro) and biodynamic (Demeter). Austrian-born Rudi Bauer is still the winemaker and driving force behind the estate. Site: Quartz Reef
More on BKWine Magazine: Wine brands – a curse or a blessing?
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2022, Dicey
Price: €23.05, Launch: Launched
New Zealand, Central Otago
Tasting note:
Typical pinot noir with strawberry and a hint of meatiness, dense, developed, ok oak, slightly fiery.
BKWine Score: 15.5 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 3–7 years.
Dicey was launched in 2020 by brothers Matt and James Dicey, sons of Robin Dicey, who originally came from South Africa and was one of the pioneers behind viticulture in Bannockburn, Central Otago, and was also involved with Mt Difficulty Wines. The grapes for Dicey come from three family-owned vineyards in Bannockburn: The Inlet, Black Rabbit and Swansong. Site: Dicey
Mission Reserve Syrah 2023, Mission Estate Winery
Price: €17.71, Launch: 2025-10-03
New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay
Tasting note:
Closed, developed, lighter style, a hint of meatiness, ok fruit, angular today.
BKWine Score: 14.5 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 2–5 years.
Mission Estate was founded in 1851 by French missionaries in Hawke’s Bay and is New Zealand’s oldest surviving wine producer. The estate is still wholly owned by New Zealand interests, “the Society of Mary,” a Catholic order. In 2012 Mission Estate bought a vineyard in Marlborough, and in 2017 took over the Bridge Pa Triangle producer Ngatarawa Wines. Site: Mission Estate Winery
Mission Reserve Pinot Noir 2023, Mission Estate Winery
Price: €17.71, Launch: 2025-10-17
New Zealand, Marlborough
Tasting note:
Developed, light, austere with rough tannins and angular fruit, animal notes, dense, tight.
BKWine Score: 14.5 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 4–8 years.
Mission Estate: see above!
Estate Pinot Noir 2024, Te Kairanga Wines
Price: €16.82, Launch: 2025-10-24
New Zealand, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Tasting note:
Young, closed and angular, rough acidity and astringent, austere fruit, disjointed, a touch of strawberry, extract-rich.
BKWine Score: 14.5 pts, value for money: =, drinking window: 4–8 years.
Te Kairanga was founded in 1984 in Martinborough, on land once owned by the district’s founder John Martin, and is one of the region’s pioneer producers. Since 2011 the estate has been part of the Foley Family Wines group, which also owns sister properties Martinborough Vineyard, Grove Mill, Vavasour and Mt Difficulty. The vineyards span four sites on the Martinborough Terrace. Site: Te Kairanga Wines
Syrah 2024, Te Mata Estate
Price: €16.82, Launch: 2026-09-18
New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay
Tasting note:
Tight, austere, slightly hars finish with angular acidity, extract-rich, oak notes, slightly meaty toward the end.
BKWine Score: 14.0 pts, value for money: (=), drinking window: 4–6 years.
Te Mata Estate was founded in 1896 by the Chambers family in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, and is said to be New Zealand’s oldest wine producer still operating on its original land. The estate is independent and family-owned, today run in part by the Buck family. Site: Te Mata Estate
Read more about the producer in BKWine Magazine’s article: Five wineries and 25 recommended wines from New Zealand.
Note: The tasting notes are from Jack. The producer information is from the editorial team. Note that the producer information may in some cases contain ambiguities or even inaccuracies, as sources can vary. If you need exact figures, you should refer to the producer’s own information.
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