Gold Medal, Best of Class International Wines and Spirits Competition 2011, UK (October 2011)"Lovely rich garnet colour, concentrated and powerful wine full of new world ripeness and old world complexity. Classic aromoas of pepper, rich blue fruit spice and a hint of lifted balsamic. Savoury ripe tannins framed with herbal acidity give the wine structure, packed full of complex flavours which are endless. Great wine." Judging Panel, IWSC 2011
95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Dec 2010“Deep red/purple in colour, this is gloriously ripe and plush on the nose displaying blackberry, dark plum, floral and vanillin oak characters. The palate is expansive and dense with super-smooth texture and loads of polished tannins. The wine is powerful yet beautifully layered and structured with lovely integration. Simply stunning! At its best: now to 2020.”
93/100 Bob Campbell M.W, Nov 2010"Big, r
Judging Panel International Wine Challenge 2009, U.K95/100 "Ripe perfumed nose with rich, savoury fruit reminiscent of Hermitage. Complex, restrained fruit with perfect balance, great purity and ripeness. Very long and lingering."
Scenic Cellars - Taupo May 2008This label has only been on the scene for the last few years, but it's already fashioned an enviable reputation for the quality of it's wine. At a recent tasting here, it was like a shining light! A single vineyard Merlot (from along Ngatarawa Road) made from the very best handpicked fruit and crafted to perfection by Bruce Heliwell, deeply coloured, it has alluring aromas of dark plums, blackberry and chocolate notes with a richly layered palate, supported by sweet ripe tannins. A very fine wine.
Top 12 NZ Merlot - Gourmet Traveller Wine; Bob Campbell Aug/Sept 2009
F&B Magazine Best of the Best Wine Guide 2007 - A Peter Saunders preferred 2007 release selected from wines feaured in Peters Pick's in Food & Beverage magazine, NZ
Rosemary George MW - Decanter Oct 06“Lovely ripe fruit, fragrant oak, spice. Elegant palate, beautiful restrained fruit, balanced with silky raspberry, cherry tones. Fine tannin.” Bob Campbell MW - Gourmet Traveller Wine Feb 200794/100 "Made by Bruce Helliwell from hand harvested grapes in an area of Hawke's Bay known as the Bridge Pa Triangle. Although close to the Gimblett Gravels district, the soils are different comprising deep pumice sands and gravels overlaid by a light sandy loam. This big and powerful wine has a mix of plum, berry, black cracked pepper and more savoury flavours like earth and brambles. The oak is evident, though fruit flavours dominate. A solidly structured wine with firm, ripe tannins."Cameron Douglas - Hospitality August 2006 “Dark ruby, concentrated, dark rose edge. Black pepper, spices, raspberry, bitter chocolate and broody, earthy undertone matched on the palate. Firm, ripe tannins and delicious mid-palate concentration lead into a long finish. An outstanding example. Decant for service, no less than 17ºC. Will cellar for five+ years"Karl Du Fresne - Sunday Star Times Magazine 24 September 2006"This Hawke’s Bay wine was attracting attention even before it won the trophy for best Syrah at the Bragato awards. Sourced from the Daysh Family vineyard on Ngatarawa Road in the Bridge Pa (aka Ngatarawa) Triangle and made by Bruce Helliwell, it’s dark, powerful and very refined Rhone-style syrah that comes alive in the mouth. Excellent with food and should last well. "Sue Courtenay - Wine of the Week website 28 May 2006"Bridge Pa Louis Syrah 2004 was a big wine with an aromatic spice box nose and sweet fruit underpinned by firm acidity that carries the finish."
Jane Skilton M.W"Textbook Syrah characters overlaid of blueberry and damson overlaid with strong cracked pepper. Masses of fruit on the palate with a background of dry tannin and oak."Peter Saunders - F&B Magazine May 2007"Young, dark and intense; a wine in no hurry, bountiful in its spicy fruit and offering well-spined yet generous characters to suit red meats, game and cheese. This is not a little wine from a fledgling region but a bold statement still opening up its strengths. More time will help but very accessible now with the right food."Warren Barton - The Dominion, Sat 12 August 2006"Violets and black peppercorns combine with blackcurrants and plums to make this an attractive and well priced expression of the variety."Capital Times - Wine Press 23 August 2006 "It just pips Louis in aroma, with a tobacco note adding weight to the violet and black plum. But Louis has the better in the mouth, where it is somehow light and full at the same time. With a hard act to follow, the HB remains super smooth, with black pepper coming through the black fruit on the palate."
Warren Barton“VALUE: Made by one of Hawke’s Bays leading red winemaker’s for a small and relatively new and instantly successful producer, this is a round and fruity middleweight blend that represents excellent value for money. Floral, spicy and alive with berryfruit.”Capital Times – Wine Press 23 August 2006 – Wine of the Week"The Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Malbec/Syrah 2005 ($20) is a wine I kept going back to. It’s got a powerful oak/tannin flavour balanced by rich fruit and a touch of liquorice. Not as full-bodied as the syrahs, but just as smooth and a treat at the price."