Julia Harding visited the Bellbird Spring estate last year (2012) and her very favourable reviews of the wines have now been released on Jancis Robinson.com:
Bellbird Spring Block Eight Pinot Gris Waipara 2011 Score 17.5 Reviewer JH
Spicy and a touch savoury but not very expressive at the moment. Tastes drier than the numbers suggest. Stone fruit peachiness but the ripeness and spice dominate. Again it is very powerful, honeyed already. Really mouthfilling. Rich but balanced.
Bellbird Spring Dry Pinot Gris Waipara 2011 Score 17 Reviewer JH
Ripe and spicy on the nose. Very rich and rounded and full in the mouth. So much more PG character than in most NZ PGs. Rich and dense but not heavy. Balanced acidity. Very very long. Complex already and finishes with a classic savoury (Alsace-like) spice. Great fruit density and a fine grip. Certainly one of the best PGs I have tasted in New Zealand. Bit of heat on the finish.
Bellbird Spring, Block Eight Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Waipara Score17 Reviewer JH
Very ripe fruit on the nose, very vibrant. Then really crisp and tight and intense on the palate. Tastes pretty dry though there's a fullness on the palate from all that ripe fruit and from the use of old oak. Rich and long and pretty powerful. (JH)
Bellbird Spring, Home Block White 2009 Waipara Score 17 Reviewer JH
Complex, intense and honeyed aromatic nose. Honeyed apricots. Grapey on the palate. The Gewurz has become more subdued with time in the bottle but there is still a floral and spicy component on the mid palate. Again very full and dense and rich. Some spice. (JH)