Although some of these tasting notes may be found elsewhere on this site, this page brings together most of my Merlot notes, listed alphabetically by Producer. Click here for rating systems and abbreviations.

Goldridge Premium Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2008 (S) Deep dark red. A big, earthy, savoury wine has salty herbs, leathery nuances and grippy tannins. I find the Brettanomyces character distracting. Rather disappointing after the sensational 2007's from this producer. 13.5% alc. $21.95. 30Nov2009.

Mills Reef Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet NV A sweet smelling red with a dense red black hue and youthful crimson highlights. Cherry and vanillin oak on the nose with a hint of violet along with tobacco, smoky cedar and barnyard emerging from behind the sweet fruit. It is medium-bodied in palate weight with Merlot-dominant plum and cherry fruit. Smooth and soft with some grip to the dusty tannins, there's a touch of woody herbaceous that adds interest and a smoky character to the lingering savoury finish. A touch of liquorice emerges and underlying acidity ensure the finish last. The vinous sweet fruit character is the last memory. Gets better and better as it opens in the glass. 17/20. 14% alc. $16.95. 21Apr2009.

Sacred Hill Basket Press Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2008 (sc) Bright vivid purple red in colour, it brims with ripe brambles on the nose - a little reminiscent of fresh blackberries that you can pick from the side of the road at this time of year. Add a bit of dusty oak, tar and leather for interest. Berries dominate the juicy palate with charred oak providing balancing savouriness. Merlot asserts its presence with a rounded mid palate and a plum / chocolate richness while the Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and a touch of herbaceousness - herbs that emit anise / liquorice type flavours. Dry tannins hit the front of the mouth on the finish but overall the impression is of a very smooth, robust drinkable red. 13.5% alc. $20.90. 19Mar2009.

Selaks Winemakers Favourite Merlot Cabernet 2008 (sc) Deep back red with a crimson glow. Vibrant toasty French oak, oak spice and a red berry aroma and full of plum and blackberry fruit in the palate with a layer of strawberry chocolate too. A lovely smooth, medium bodied style, oak enhances the savoury element without intruding and the tannin structure is velvety and fine. 14% alc. $19.99. 23Sep2009.

Te Mania Three Brothers Nelson Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc 2008 (D) Deep red, but not totally opaque. Leathery nuances on the nose, some cherry pushing through. Those smoky, savoury cherry characters carry through to the medium-bodied palate. Perhaps a touch of a medicinal character but not too distracting. 13% alc. $19.99. 30Nov2009.

Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2008 (sc) A deep crimson / purple red intense in the core, vibrant on the edges. Fragrant perfume of berries, leather, hints of Grandma's violets and tar. Loads of juicy ripe berry fruit flavours with underlying savoury winemaking complexities. Medium-bodied in palate weight with velvety tannins and a long finish. Delivers so much more than you would expect for the price. 85% Merlot, 6% CF, 5% Malbec and 4% CS. 12 months in seasoned oak. 13.5% alc. $17.99. 20May2009.

Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red Merlot Malbec 2008 (sc) Vivid black red. Smelling incredibly smooth and seamless, it tastes it too. Nicely seasoned smoky French oak, fruit cake spices, a touch of chocolate and succulent plums and black cherries. Tannins are smooth and velvety and the wine oozes class and finesse. 14% alc. $16.99. 23Sep2009.
Deep, dense black red, quite shiny too. Savoury aromas of French oak, leather and plum carry through to the palate to underpin the upfront plum and cassis fruit with fruitcake spices and hints of chocolate. A medium to full-bodied red with velvety tannins supporting the fruit. 14% alc. $18.99. 6Jan2010.

Alexia by Jane Cooper Merlot 2007 (sc) Deep saturated colour. Chocolatey and earthy with a herbal undercurrent that makes it seem little like a rich Pinot Noir- but then the rich ripe PN’s are sometimes reminiscent of Merlot. Smoky oak, a touch savoury on nose, spicy and savoury and just a little herbal in palate. Dry with moderate tannins and a medium length finish. A meaty wine, perhaps a hint of mint and should go well with lamb. However we had it with pork in a plum sauce. 14% alc. $19.95. 28Aug2008.

Brunton Road Gisborne Merlot 2007 (sc) Saturated deep black plummy red. Savoury with dried herb on the nose and succulent blackberry jam scents.Smooth and creamy to the taste - loads and loads of fruit make it a very appealing forward and juicy style. I’m thinking of those blackberries and raspberries gummy jelly lollies. There’s a smoky undercurrent, hints of liquorice and nicely integrated spicy oak to round out the finish. Classic cigar box notes linger on the aftertaste, which is long and savoury. 14% alc. $19.95. 24May2008.

Church Road Cuve Series Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 A dense, deep coloured red. Typical Merlot aroma - earth, leather, plums and cigar. Fruit is ripe and juicy with spicy oak adding opulence to the leathery backbone with a touch of anise and floral notes supporting the plum and blackberry fruit. A big wine for Merlot with firm but supple tannins and well-balanced savouriness. 14% $27.99. 12Aug2009.

Church Road Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2007 (sc) Deep, dense, vivid purple red. Not really offering too much on the nose come concentrated jammy berries perhaps - yes blackberries and cherries. This wine give the notion of purple - purple plum, purple berries, purple flowers - surely it has some Malbec in it although it doesn't say so on the label. A savoury wine with spicy nuances, an earthy richness and sweet vanillin oak. Grunty is one way to describe this deliciously rich juicy wine with underlying acidity adding brightness. A beautiful wine that almost rivals the 'Reserve'. 13.5% alc. $25.95. 26Nov2009.

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2007 (c) Deep black red with a shiny appearance. Earthy, almost peppery aromas with vanillin oak pushing through. In the palate it’s deep, smoky and savoury with a dried herb profile to the plummy fruit and a hint of chocolate too. More savoury than fruity with some grip to the tannins and underlying acidity to give it longevity, this is a good cellaring proposition. 14.5% alc. $29.99. 16Dec2009.

Craggy Range Sophia Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007 (c) Intense dark purple black. Perfumed with French oak, hints of leather, plum and violet-like florals. Concentrated and powerful with a violet-like intensity to the juicy plum, blackberry and cassis fruit with an undercurrent of cedar, chocolate and liquorice. A sumptuous wine with a classic leafy character and mouth coating tannins - already stunning but some more time to integrate will take it to another level. 14.5% alc. $49.99. 1Jul2009.

Frizzell Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 (sc) Deep black red. Quite perfumed and floral with savoury oak adding to the scent and flavours that are succulent and sweet with juicy plum and blackberry fruit, cedar and spice. Tannins are fine textured and lightly grippy while crushed red peppercorns tickle the tongue on the finish. 14% alc. $19.99. 30Sep2009.

Frizzell Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc 2007 (sc) A soft, velvety, full flavoured number - it has a great colour - a vibrant red black brambly colour and attractive aromas of plums and blackberries with a backing of sweet savoury oak. A juicy savouriness brims through the palate with concentrated black berries and plums - ripe blueberry too. There's spicy oak providing a solid base for the fruit then Malbec's classic earthiness together with hints of rose petal and chocolate notes comes through on the succulent finish. Rounded, smooth, full of flavour, this is good. 14% alc. $21.99. 20Mar2009.

Huntaway Gisborne / Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2007 (sc) Dense purple red. Oaky, cedary with a hint of mint and other herbal nuances. This is a thick grainy textured wine in the mouth with sweet vanillin oak, bright cassis fruit, dried herbs and underlying acidity which adds a slightly metallic taste to this wine. Overall it is quite powerful and tasty with food, but for me the aromas let it down. 13.5% alc. $22.95. 26Nov2009.

Hyperion Zeus Matakana Merlot Cabernet 2007 (D) Deep red colour. Savoury, leathery and tarry scent with chocolate coated berries coming through. In the mouth the flavours are of cedary oak and brambles with the juicy sweetness balanced by the savouriness. A soft supple wine with a dry, savoury disposition, a creamy texture and underlying grip to the tannins. 13.5% alc. $20. 7 Nov 2009.

Matakana Estate Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007 (c) Deeply coloured red with hints of black. Beguiling concentrated cassis and plum scent with hints of liquorice and nutmeg. Spicy vanillin oak asserts it presence on entry to the palate. Juicy and succulent fruit harmonises with the savoury backbone and the tannins are silky and fine. A deep earthy nuance on the finish. A profound Hawkes Bay blend from Mareakakaho - as good as the best from the Bay. 13.5% alc. $29. 7Jul2009.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 (sc) Deep dark red. Sweet, with polished oak, a hint of mint and a savoury depth. Meaty smelling yet sweet. A softer, juicier wine than the sibling Cab Merlot 07 tasted beside it, and not as complex in that respect. Classic Merlot with fruitcake cherries, cake spice, leather, blueberry, smoky oak, ripe fruit, soft velvety tannins, long finish. Easy going, medium-bodied style. Easy to enjoy. 50/50 French & American oak - 28% new. 17/20. 14% alc. $24.95. 21Apr2009.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2007 (sc) Concentrated deep plummy red coloured with purple-crimson edges, it has smoky oak, dried herb, concentrated berry and slightly liquorice scents that lead into a juicy palate full of sweet ripe red and black fruits. It's medium to full-bodied in palate weight and quite sensual in texture with plush firm tannins and savoury oak. Fruit is plummy and ripe, integrating to the meaty, leathery, chicory backbone and the Malbec earthiness and violet / rose petal-like florals come forth on the finish. It is very hard to think of a consistently good and better value red wine from New Zealand.14% alc. $24.95. 27Jan 2009

Mission Estate Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 (D) Dense black red with crimson edges. Deep and brooding on the nose with leather and a spiced berry scent, it is full-bodied and sumptuous in the palate with thick-textured velvety tannins, sweet dark plum and berry fruit, tobacco, cigar box, leather, a little bit of tar and a hint of bitter chocolate too. Delivers value for money and mouthfilling pleasure. 14% alc. $18.99. 15Apr2009.
This is a medium-to-full bodied wine with a moderately deep red colour, hints of cassis on the nose and concentrated flavours of juicy red fruits and bottled plums with a firm tannin underlay and creamy oak completing the package. A splash of Cabernet Franc adds perfume. A very smart wine with very good length. 14% alc. $17.99. 29Jul2009.
A deep, dark red. Quite savoury on the nose with smoky oak and a hint of tobacco, those characters carry through to the juicy palate that's full of plum and black berry fruit with a savoury, meaty undercurrent, moderate tannins and a hint of rose chocolate coming through on the creamy finish. 14% alc. $19.99. 28Oct2009.

Selaks Premium Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 (sc) Deep winey red black colour, quite vivid and bright. Smoky scents over concentrated berry fruit with a meaty depth and a subtle leathery accent. Medium to full-bodied palate with cedar, smoke, plums and concentrated black berry fruit. Tannins are svelte yet rich, there's some underlying acidity and brighter red berries emerge on the long, savoury finish becoming quite creamy as the aftertase lingers. Went very well with the lamb and after the food, fruit cake cherries emerge and the wine becomes quite chocolatey. 13.5% alc. $14.95. 6Dec2008.

Selaks The Favourite Merlot Cabernet 2007 - Gimblett Gravels (sc) Deep colour purple-flushed red. Gorgeous scent - beauitful oak, dried herbs, pipe tobacco, chicory, chocolate and bottled plums. A soft, generous wine in the palate - gentle not aggressive. Smoky, savoury, tarry with oak quite dominant at this stage of its life and the fruit coming forth on the finish. Ripe berry fruit, almost raisiny. Later oak seems integrated, tar has gone, lots of chocolate - very smooth. 14% alc. $19.99. 6Dec2008.

Soho Revolver Fully Loaded 2007 (sc) This concentrated red is a deep dark colour with some ruby to the hue and displays it ripe red berry character both on the nose and in the palate where the tannins are silky and the oak has a spicy vibrancy. Yet there's also a strong herbal character which probably was its downfall in the blind tasting, yet was the element that made this wine such a star with the food. A blend of 39% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard in Onetangi aged in French oak barriques of which just 20% was new.13% al.c $38. 26Nov2009.

Stone Paddock Scarlet Hawkes Bay 2007 (sc) A blend of 37% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Franc and 12% Malbec, this is deep and dense in colour - deeper darker that 'scarlet' red - it's scarlet with purple staining. Ripe dusty blackberry on the nose and soft, smooth, harmonious flavours with a nice touch of savouriness and just a hint of spiciness to balance the ripe berry fruits and creamy vanillin oak. With is supple tannins and juicy disposition, it is immensely quaffable on its own and good with wine soaked meatloaf too. 14% alc. $25. 20Jul2009.

Te Mania Nelson Three Brothers 2007 (D) Made from a blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, this is youthful purple red with crimson edges and has a spicy, cedary aroma with an attractive floral/herb overtone. A 'full-blooded" red - it has a meaty, leathery backbone with a thick, ripe tannin structure, a concentrated currant and red berry richness and an earthy depth. Vanillin oak adds sweetness while a hum of acidity adds lift to the spicy finish. This wine really improves with time in the bottle - or decant for best results now. 14% alc. $19.95. 15Apr2009.

Ti Point Two Matakana Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007 (sc) Deep purple coloured with gem-like ruby hues. A bright fruity aroma of concentrated blackberries and raspberries, a touch of leather, a hint of tobacco and smoky oak. Juicy and savoury to the taste with a lash of leather, concentrated red berry and plummy fruit, dried herbs, fruitcake spices, a touch of liquorice and silky tannins. It is medium-boded in style and with a fresh, lifted finish. 12% alc. $19.90. 6Jul2008.

Thornbury Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 (sc) From the Gimblett Gravels with 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, this is a shiny, dense black red. On the nose there are plums and leather with smoky oak while in the palate is it rich, dry and spicy with a fine texture. Crammed with juicy brambles and mulberry fruit with fruitcake spices and hints of cigar-like oak, it is a classic rendition of Merlot with all the typical descriptors and an absolute steal at the price. 14% alc. $14.99. 25Mar2009.
Vivid blackberry red colour. Earthy aromatics - quite leathery and plummy which is 'classic' for Merlot and juicy red and black fruit flavours with a spicy infusion. From the great 2007 vintage, this has concentration and beautifully fine tannins - simply amazing value for the price. 14% alc. $14.99. 21Oct2009.

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2007 (sc) Deep dense purple black-red with bright pule-crimson rims. A supple textured wine with silk tannins, yet dense and concentrated with sumptuous red and black fruit, a meaty complexity, oak spice, violet and other florals and musky notes on the finish. A stand out wine - ready now but also with excellent potential to age. A star of the tasting. 47% Merlot, 40% Cab Sauv, 10% Malbec and 3% Cab Franc with 20 months in multi-region oak, 25% new. $24. 20May2009.

Askerne Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec Cabernet 2006 (D) A blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this deep dark red has smoky aromas with sweet oak pushing through the savoury, spicy, earthy flavours. There are herbal nuances and anise like spices that add character to the finish while the fruit has mellowed right out. 13% alc. $20.00. 30Nov2009.

Bach 22 East Coast Merlot 2006 (sc) A smoky, juicy, ripe, tasty, medium-bodied red with its bright breezy wild blackberry fruit and a light impression of oak. If you like those slightly sweetish cheap Spanish reds, this is a good home grown alternative. 13% alc. $11.95. 7Dec2007.

Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2006 (c) A deep coloured blackberry red, quite dense in the core. Lush fruit aromatics with violet, a hint of mint and a savoury oak backing lead into a savoury, spicy full-bodied palate that is a little peppery on entry. Deep and concentrated with red and black fruits, hints of bitter chocolate, a touch of leather, creamy oak and firm velvety tannins, there's a rustic dried herb character coming through to balance the fruit sweetness and the finish is lifted, toasty and long. 14% alc. $32.99. 18Mar2009.

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2006 - Hawkes Bay (c) Deep dark red with flashes of purple. Rich and ripe with luscious black and red fruit that hints of boysenberry and cherry. Firm, grippy and robust despite the fine tannin structure, the concentrated fruit is infused with smoke and tobacco, or perhaps a touch of cigar and there's power to the long creamy finish, which becomes quite floral and lifted - no doubt because of the 15 % Cabernet Franc in the blend. There's loads of potential but the 2006 vintage is nowhere near as approachable as the 2005 was. This is a wine to decant or put in the cellar for a while. 13.5% alc. Cork. $26.99. 27Aug2008.

Craggy Range Sophia 2006 - Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay (c) Deep black red with hints of purple. Shy on the nose with cedar, tar and a floral perfumed edge. Tasted immediately after the Newton Forrest, it lacks that up front voluptuousness but Sophia loses her coquettish veneer with twirling and swirling to reveal beautifully proportioned red fruits, oak and finely structured meaty tannins. Made from a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec, there are classic Merlot smoky, cigar box, leather and earthy notes while the Cabernet Franc and Malbec adds the perfumed floral lift to the creamy, lingering finish. Total class. 14% alc. $49.99. 27Aug2008.

Farmgate Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2006 (sc) A deep dark plummy red. Earth, concentrated fruit, violet and tar aromas with just a suggestion of leather. Spicy savoury oak and concentrated plum and berry fruit flavours with hints of violets, a silky texture and underlying acidity adding just enough bite to the soft merlot flavours. A beautiful wine that goes to another level with First Light venison and mushrooms. 14% alc. $25. 2May2008.

Hyperion 'Zeus' Matakana Merlot Cabernet 2006 (D) A deep bright, youthful rich red colour with smoky, concentrated cassis scents. Rich, ripe and full-bodied to the taste with succulent fruit, vanillin oak, a creamy texture and meaty tannins that become smooth and velvety with time. Quite savoury in the line-up but full of sweet cherry and cassis fruit with liquorice, smoke, fruit cake spices, jelly baby sweetness, just a hint of mint and very good length. An upfront, drinkable style and very appealing at the price. 18/20. 13.5% alc. $20. 24Jan2008.

Main Divide Marlborough Merlot Cabernet 2006 (S) Deep dark, red cherry hues. Cassis fruit dominates this full, concentrated red. It's deep, rich and savoury with smooth tannins, creamy oak and hints of mint coming through on the finish. Cabernet component includes both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. 14% alc. $19.95. 30Nov2009.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2006 (sc) Deep red black, opaque to the core. Smoky, sweet oak and concentrated berry and plum fruit on the nose, smooth in its flow with concentrated red berry fruits, velvety tannins, hints of tobacco and underlying acidity adding brightness and lift to the savoury finish. Medium-bodied in style, long and creamy with polished oak and deliciously approachable already. Perfect with lamb and mint sausages cooked on the Barbie while watch the sun set at Muriwau Beach. 14% alc. $22.95. 10Nov2007.
Deep red black, opaque to the core, there's smoky sweet oak and concentrated brambles and plums fruit on the nose and a berry fruit succulence to the medium to full-bodied cedary taste. Smooth in texture with velvety tannins, hints of tobacco and underlying acidity adding brightness and lift, the pleasing finish is long, spicy and savoury. 14% alc. $20.99. 21Nov2007.

Newton Forrest Merlot 2006 - Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay (sc) Another huge wine, quite similar to the previous but with that extra edge of voluptuousness and finesse. Deep dark red, gorgeously perfumed oak and fruit, almost silky in its tannin structure, which makes it seem so smooth and creamy. Juicy cherry, plum and blackberry fruit, a touch of chocolate and smoky savoury oak finish. Delicious. 14% alc. $28.99. 27Aug2008.

Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Marlborough Merlot 2006 (sc) Deep red black, opaque with a crimson glow. A little herbal at first on the nose, but swirling reveals leather, vanilla, mocha and a red berry vinous sweetness. Cherries to the fore in the palate, cherries and redcurrants with sappy vanillin oak and plush velvety tannins. At first it's big and tight but it opens up beautifully - ripe and creamy with a fineness of tannins on the finish with concentrated sweet red fruits, hints of liquorice, underlying acidity and floral nuances. Merlot's earthiness and natural sweet leather linger with hints of tobacco. Nice. 13.5% alc. $23. 22Jun2007.

Sacred Hill Brokenstone Hawkes Bay Merlot 2006 (sc) Rustic red in the glass, almost opaque. Smoky oak on the nose is infused with predominantly red and more subtle black fruits as well as dried herbs and a hint of liquorice. A concentrated full-bodied red with a savoury, dark oak attack, becoming quite creamy and chocolatey. Laden with fruit - blackberry, blueberry, raspberry spring to mind - it is momentarily like blackberry ice cream (without the cold and the sugary sweetness) along with sweet vanillin oak, mocha and liquorice. Tannins are firm, acidity is poking it head out a bit and the finish seems well-balanced, rich and savoury. Overall the attack is smooth with the wine gently caressing the mouth and slowly, but surely, seducing the palate. 14% alc. $60. 16Mar2009.

Sandspit Cove Matakana Merlot 2006 (D) A light coloured, translucent red, the colour indicates it may have a lighter-bodied palate - but it's full of bright plum and cherry fruit with a touch of tobacco and warm but subtle cedary oak in the background adding richness and complexity. There's a touch of grip to the tannins and finishes with a savoury touch to balance the slight raspberry jube sweetness. There's a hint of liquorice too. A clean wine and the cheapest of the four from Saltings Estate wines, but by no means the least - and it's the overall best food match to both herb-crusted rack of lamb and medium-rare cooked beef fillet steak. 13% alc. $16. 23Mar2008.

Spy Valley Marlborough Merlot 2006 Vivid deep purple red. Bright, fresh berry and plum scents overlaid with smoky oak. A little dry and mouth puckery with upfront acidity on the first taste but it is lipsmackingly young with a concentrated red fruit lusciousness, hints of liquorice and roundness to finish A medium-bodied style with good persistence and a great aftertaste. 86% Merlot and 14% Malbec. 17/20. 14% alc. $19.90. 13% alc. $19.95. 24Jan2008.

Te Mania Three Brothers Merlot Malbec Cabernet 2006 (D) Deep purple plummy red with flashes of black. Fragrantly scented, delicately floral, spicy and vinously complex on the nose with a good attack of ripe, concentrated, cherry and black currant fruit in the mouth that lingers rather pleasantly long after the wine is swallowed. Smooth and silky in its tannin structure with a pleasing balance of creamy vanillin cedary oak to the fruit and spice components and a sweet earthy richness to the finish. Medium to full-bodied in style, it's immediately appealing - but it gains even more complexity in the bottle over a couple of days. The Malbec asserts itself to add a luscious savoury, almost rustic depth and a velvet-edged richness with hints of bitter cherry chocolate and liquorice emerging too. 18.5/20 and WOTW. 13% alc. $19.95. 24Jan2008.

Te Mata Coleraine 2006 – Hawkes Bay (c) A blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Cabernet Franc - the purple has gone from the deep red colour of this wine. The aroma is sensationally fragrant, concentrated and deep. Oak is in the background and fruit is like cassis. In the palate it is texturally sublime with fine silky tannins and lovely fruit ripeness, spicy oak, chocolate, a persistent finish and an earthy depth. A harmonious wine that has improved magnificently in the bottle over the past year - you can drink it now or cellar 10-15 years. 13.5% alc. $68.99. 5Aug2009.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2006 (sc) Blackberry red but lighter than the syrahs, this savoury scented, smoky, Bordeaux-character red has hints of leather, dried rosemary and cassis on the nose and becomes more aromatic with time in the glass. The savouriness and dried herb rosemary carry through to the medium to full-bodied palate with fruitcake cherry, cassis, spice and hints of lavender. Well-balanced, supple, soft and approachable, it's a wine that evolves beautifully. Top value at its price point. 13.5% alc. $18.99.12Mar2008.

Trinity Hill The Gimblett 2006 - Hawkes Bay (D) Deep rich, concentrated purple red. On the nose there's bramble fruit, sweet spice and smoky oak then in the palate it is earthy and savoury with rich, ripe bramble fruit, leathery undertones, hints of tobacco, smoky notes and firm tannins - still tight and brooding at this stage of its life. A blend of 57% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec, this is a very good example of the blend. 14% alc. $34.99. 7Oct2009.

Villa Maria PB Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2006 (sc) Quite a deep red, with its earthy, leather, rosemary herb and cassis fruit aromas, there's a definite Bordeaux-character to this wine. It's quite dry with slightly grippy tannins, a minty underlay, cassis and boysenberry fruit, a hint of barnyard and a leathery finish with well-balanced acidity carrying the length and cherry chocolate lingering on the soft, fruity aftertaste. 13.5% alc. $13.99.5Mar2008.

Waimarie Muriwai Valley Merlot Cabernet 2006 (c) Dark cherry red with crimson flashes and a moderate to deep hue. Appealing aroma of savoury cedary oak, cassis and a hint of bitter chocolate - the aroma is intense and full with perhaps a hint of leather too. Cabernet seems the forward component on the first taste but the juicy softness of the Merlot quickly takes over. Cake spice nuances penetrate the concentrated cassis, cherry and bramble fruit. A well-structured wine with a fine tannin backbone and savoury oak nicely proportioned to the rich, ripe flavours, it's a very good match to barbecued lamb back straps. The food complements the wine and makes it seem quite creamy with a rounded mouth feel. 13% alc. $28.50. 12Jan2009.

West Brook Waimauku Merlot Malbec 2006 (sc) Youthful deep berry red with a vibrant glow. A deep, rich, chocolate and cedar scent is followed by deep, rich flavours. A soft wine with fine tannins, concentrated red and black fruit, an underpinning of savoury oak and dried woody herbal - there's definitely a smattering of rosemary and thyme. My gosh, there is even a momentary cherryish pinot-like nuance on the finish but the red fruits are more of the Cabernet mould. Some Malbec perhaps with a hint of liquorice and violet on the sweet-fruited lingering finish. Fascinating, tasty wine. 12% alc. $19.95. 13Jan2009.

Alluviale Gimblett Road Hawkes Bay Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc 2005 (sc) Deep and dark in colour, an inky black red with purple highlights. Seductive on the nose with smoky vanillin oak, cassis, blackberry, dried herbs, violets and hints of leather and tar and sweet oak in the palate with cherries, chocolate and a dark, earthy, savoury undercurrent. Plums, blackberries, spice and mint emerge from the depth and the texture is like thick, lush, velvet with a silken slick finish to the tannin's caress. There's a touch of pepper too, to add a little zing to the finish as the concentrated plum and cassis well up. A lovely mouthful of wine. 13.5% alc. $27. 25Mar2007.

Askerne Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2005 Deep in its opaque colour, almost black. Barnyard, spice, leather and tar with a milky berry overlay to the concentrated scents. Full-bodied and very powerful to the taste, this juicy, fine-tannined wine is crammed with wild berry flavours with an underlying rustic savouriness, hints of chicory and fruit brightness to the lifted finish. It's succulent and long with a hint of 'bretty' character for added complexity. A blend of 66% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc with 10 months in French oak. 16.5/20. 13% alc. $20. 13% alc. $19.95. 24Jan2008.

Askerne Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec Franc 2005 (D) A deep redcurrant / cassis and savoury cedary aroma introduces this full-bodied powerful wine which is concentrated, rich and creamy to the taste with succulent plum and berry fruit, some underlying acidity, spicy oak, hints of chocolate and a dry Bordeaux character to the finish. This smooth, appealing, well-balanced and beautifully structured wine is a blend of 37% Merlot, 27% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that has seen a total of 22 months in oak. 13% alc. $30. 25Jan2008.

Cable Bay Five Hills Merlot Cabernet Malbec 2005 (sc) A blend of 53% Merlot, 24% Cab Sauv, 16% Cab Franc and 7% Malbec, this is a deep plummy colour looking quite youthful for its almost four years of age. It has a savoury, earthy, leathery aroma and it's dry to the taste with juicy cassis and plum fruit pushing through the tight grained backbone and integrating with the smoky oak, cigar and leather-like characters. The finish is quite savoury and very dry with a hint of rose petal and freshly picked (rather than fallen) plum on the finish. Still developing and showing reasonably long term potential. 13.5% alc. $34. 5Feb2009.

Church Road Cuve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep purple red. Lots of cedary oak on the nose together with a leathery nuance but it has a mellow sense as well. Rich, ripe and plummy to the taste with sweet oak and an infusion of mint with underlying acidity adding brightness to the finish. It has a creamy spicy veneer and still seems very youthful and looking exceptionally good right now. 13.5% alc. $27. 26Nov2009.

Clearview Hawkes Bay Cape Kidnappers Merlot 2005 (sc) A blend of 57% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc and matured in French and American oak for 14 months, this deep crimson-edged purple red wine has an earthy, leathery, slightly barnyard aroma. Brambly blackberry and raspberry fruit fill the palate that has an earthy backbone, hints of saddle and cedar and dry tannins. It seems a little one dimensional with acidity quite prominent on the finish by become more and more complex and integrated when a little bit has been taken out of the bottle and it tried again the next day. Heavy decanting recommended. 13% alc. $22.00. 21Jul2007.

Clearview Old Olive Block Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2005 (D) A deep, concentrated blackberry red , opaque with a brightness to the hue. Fragrant, cedary aromas with leather and wild berries and full-bodied, powerful flavours with a dark, earthy, savoury undercurrent; bright redcurrant, blackberry, cassis and plum fruit; ripe, smooth, plush velvety tannins; well worn car leather, hints of spice and sappy French oak. It's very tasty and very ripe with lifted acidity and cherries coming through on the warm, cuddly finish. This wine really grows on me with its seductive voluptuousness and smoky overlay - it's just perfect for these cold midwinter nights. 13% alc. $34. 22Jun2007.
Deep and dense in its black red colour, this full-bodied, complex blend of 44% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec with 18 months in French and American oak, is fragrant, concentrated, harmonious and integrated with an intensely savoury depth. There's a lovely balance of wild berry, blackcurrant and plum fruit to the sweet smoky oak and ripe tannins with chocolate, spice, just a touch of leather and a succulence to the lasting finish. 13% alc. $31.99. 3Oct2007.

Coopers Creek Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep dark purple-hued ruby, the colour is quite appealing. It smells tarry and lightly oaked and tastes extracted and leathery with plum jam and cherry fruit, smoke, dry grippy tannins and a slightly peppery finish. Quite pleasant but fairly ordinary. I thought it was a new-wave European wine. 13.5% alc. $14.95.29Mar2006.

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2005 Shiny, vibrant, inky black with purple edges, this wine imitates Australia with its ripeness and lusciousness, so it was a surprise to find out it was from Hawkes Bay. An opulent Merlot with ripe black fruits, creamy oak, fine silky tannins, vanilla, mocha, a touch of chocolate and a hint of mint - it's powerful, concentrated, juicy and delicious. 14% alc. $25.99. 23May2007.
Deep black purple/crimson, this inky coloured wine is delightfully fragrant, even a little floral with smoke, leather, tar and iodine. The fragrance carries through to the full-bodied, powerful and firm-tannined palate to be joined by bright black and red fruits, black forest chocolate, peppery spices and gorgeous sweet, smoky, cedary French oak with a fruit cake richness and hints of liquorice on the powerfully long finish. A stunning wine that is concentration and power. 14% alc. $25.99. Cork. 19Dec2008.

Craggy Range Sophia Hawkes Bay 2005 Intense, rich and ripe, beautiful fruit, red, dark and focussed. Smoky French oak, silky tannins, chocolate, oak spice and quite a strong cigar box finish with a savoury, slightly herbal aftertaste. The winemaker says a 20 year wine, but it is approachable already in a big glass with plenty of swirling. A blend of 62% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in French oak, 80% new. 14% alc. $45. 10May2007.
Inky purple black, deep, dense and earthy with hints of violets and rose petal over perfumed, spicy cedary oak - the alluring aroma which leads into a deep, dark, savoury full-bodied palate with a beautifully fine tannin structure, smoky vanillin cedar, red and black fruits, tar, liquorice and oak spice. It's rich and ripe and perfectly balanced with a juicy creaminess and a violetty fragrance to the long, vanillin cedar finish. A blend of 62% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was matured in French oak, 80% new, for 19 months. A star! 14% alc. $44.99. 6Jun2007.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Inky in its black red depth, chocolate and cedar on the nose and plummy fruit in the palate supported by a leathery backbone and fine tannins. Rich and concentrated with a long savoury finish. 13.5% alc. $23.99. 22Sep2006.
Dark red, almost opaque with cherry-red flushed rims, there's plum and vanillin oak on the nose and juicy, savoury, smoky, tarry, spicy, medium to full-bodied flavours with cherry fruit, firm ripe tannins, cigar box and chocolate. There's spicy oak on the finish and hints of tobacco as it lingers. 13.5% alc. $23.99. 4Oct2006.
Deep red with a bright red fruit aroma mingling with earthy, savoury, smoky oak. Bright in the palate with upfront red fruit, savoury oak, liquorice spice, integrated tannins, reasonably acidity, cigar on the finish and a savoury salty tang to the lingering aftertaste. Much softer in its tannin structure and seemingly lighter at this stage of its life than some of the merlots from this label in the past. 13.5% alc. $24. 14Aug2007.

Esk Valley Black Label Hawkes Bay Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon / Malbec 2005 (sc) Deep dark red. Smoky bacon and cherry on the nose. Ripe, rich and rounded to the taste with a smooth, delicious delivery. Delicately smoky with opulent red and black fruits; a hint of smoky bacon and a touch of salty leather on the finish add intriguing complexities. This wine has a softness and voluptuousness to its full-bodied flavours. Excellent. 13.5% alc. $24. 14Aug2007.

Hawks Nest Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) An earthy, leathery, cedary style, dark and savoury and very much in the French mould to start, then the sweet oak kicks in with ripe plum and berry fruit, liquorice and spice and firm soft tannin. It has a good deep crimson colour, good length and the finish is dry. 16 months in oak. 14.2% alc. $17. 16Mar2007.

Hinchco Matakana Merlot 2005 (sc) Medium deep red, there are maraschino aromas with subtle spice and savoury sappy oak on the nose and it's soft and smooth to the taste with hints of leather, creamy vanillin oak and a clean savoury finish. With its light tannins it is easy drink and at its price, the most popular red at 'The Vintry' in Matakana. 13% alc. $20. 10Jul2007.

Hyperion Zeus Merlot Cabernet 2005 - Matakana (D) A blend of 90% merlot and 10% cabernet, this has creamy oak, ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of spice on the nose. It’s soft and creamy in the palate with just a little bit of grip, hints of liquorice, rose petal and a peppery spiciness to the nuggety finish. Nice, approachable, medium-bodied style. 13% alc. $20. 26Feb2007.

Karikari Estate Northland Merlot CS Malbec 2005 (c) Ripe and rich, deep in colour, smelling of sappy oak with a hint of orange zest, it's sweet oaked, creamy and smooth in the palate with very ripe fruit, a hint of mint and a dark, smoky, toasty, mocha oak finish. Dry, with some complexity and grunt, leather and tar emerge with some time in the glass. A blend of 52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Malbec fermented in stainless steel and matured in American and French oak for 11 months.12.6% alc. $27.00. 21Jul2007.

Mills Reef Elspeth Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 Deep, dark, earthy, savoury and smoky with dark plummy fruit and berries, a hint of citrus, fine grained tannins and firm French oak backing, it's a little tight at this stage but the potential is there and the long, sultry aftertaste confirms this. 14% alc. $39.95. 29Jan2007.

Mills Reef Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2005 (sc) Opaque in its deep black-hued cherry/crimson colour, this smells concentrated and winey - full of macerated red fruits and smoky vanillin oak. Rich and luscious to the taste with thick velvety tannins, lush cherry and plum fruit, plenty of oak with vanilla and chocolate and a deep earthy finish. Underlying acidity adds brightness and there's a violet and floral prettiness to the finish. The merlot fruitiness is upfront while the Malbec exerts it earthy yet floral character on the finish. A totally drinkable medium to full-bodied juicy Hawkes Bay red with an earthy, savoury, almost gamey aftertaste. 51% Merlot / 49% Malbec. 13.5% alc. $22.95. 13Jun2008.

Montana Reserve Marlborough Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep purple red. Earthy, barnyard, dusty hay aromas. Sweet oaked with quite firm tannins, dried herbs and dusty blackberries. A savoury, meaty wine with mid palate juiciness, quite grippy tannins and a green astringency to the drying finish. Matured in French and American oak. 13% alc. $21.95. 21Jul2007.

Morton Estate 'The Mercure' Hawkes Bay 2005 (sc) A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes this is deep red and opaque in appearance. At first American oak and vanilla scents escape from the glass but later there are berries and tobacco too. Big, rich and powerful to the taste - spicy, full-bodied, floral and slightly musky with sweet cherry and redcurrant fruit, vanilla oak, hints of tobacco and an earthy note while moderate chunky tannins add just enough grip to the overall smooth delivery. Lots of drink now appeal. 13.5% alc. $19. 20May2008.

Mudbrick Waiheke Island Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (sc) Pinky-red of medium density with subtle cherry and vanilla oak scents, there's a touch of liquorice amongst the sweet bramble and plum fruit with soft dry tannins, polished oak, a hint of Black Forest chocolate, a nuance of mint and a smoky finish. Juicy and powerful with a firmly structured backbone, it's ready to drink but will also benefit from time in the cellar. 13.9% alc. $39.99. 13Sep2006.
Dense pinky red, with cigar box and berry aromas, the raspberry and plum-like fruit is sweet and juicy and supported by creamy oak with a tarry, herbaceous undercurrent and firm, dry tannins. Best enjoyed with food to cut through the tannins that seem more apparent than last time we tasted it. 13.9% alc. $35.99. 24Jan2007.

Mudbrick Waiheke Island Reserve Merlot Cabernets 2005 (sc) Deep dark red with soft berry fruit and spicy vanillin oak aromas, it is dry and tight to the taste but let the fruit emerge from behind its chunky tannin cloak and you’ll find it sweet and rich with chocolate, cherry, vanilla and meaty savoury oak. A wine of stellar breeding, it needs more time at this stage of its life. 13.8% alc. $44.99. 13Sep2006.
Deep dark red in colour, there's a chocolatey richness to the aroma and a creamy chocolatey character to the dense, rich, succulent palate. A big, rich wine with a savoury, earthy undercurrent, juicy brambly fruit, spicy oak and firm tannins. A fleshy style and developing nicely. 13.8% alc. $39.99. 6Feb2008.

Ngatarawa 'Alwyn' Glazebrook Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2005 Deep black red. Smoky and savoury with cigar box on the nose. Beautifully structured in the palate with smoky French oak spices, a savoury sweetness and dark fruit. Silky and long with firm tannins and a hint of chocolate emerging on the finish. 13.5% alc. $55. 9Oct2007.

Ngatarawa Glazebrook Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2005 (sc) Deep red with black hues. Smoky French oak on the nose, rich, ripe, deep blackcurrant plum fruit flavours with oak spice and a silky tannin structure. A nicely balanced Hawkes Bay blend. 13.5% alc. $28. 9Oct2007.

Pegasus Bay Maestro 2005 (sc) A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Malbec, this is a deep boysenberry red with a crimson purple hue. Full of concentrated brambles on the nose - ripe dusty blackberries spring to mind - it smells meaty and savoury too. Sweet cherry, plum and brambly fruit fill the succulent concentrated palate with tannins like velvet rubbed the wrong way, vanillin oak and a spicy, almost floral flourish to the finish. A massive wine with a delicious meaty richness with violets, most definitely and hints of chocolate too. 18/20. 14.5% alc. $44.95. 26Jun2009.

Pegasus Bay Waipara Merlot Cabernet 2005 (sc) Deep red, fine in textural appearance, some thinning on the edges. Dense aromas of wood and cedar with a hint of chocolate and fruit in the fruitcake cherry spectrum. The woodiness carries through to the fine textured, silky tannined palate. Medium bodied in style and savoury, meaty and spicy, lots of brambles - it's quite fresh with underlying acidity and dried herb and floral notes to the cherry/redcurrant and creamy vanillin oak finish. A blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon ad Cabernet Franc with tow years in oak barriques, 30% new. 17/20. 14.5% alc. $28.95. 26Jun2009.

Red Metal Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005 (sc) Dense dark red with crimson hues, this fragrant red is a dark brooding beast with firm acidity, fine tannins, creamy oak, juicy black fruit, hints of chocolate and a nuggetty undercurrent. Well balanced and very tempting to drink. Red Metal have finally got it right. 13% alc. $20.99. 24Jan2007.

Redmetal Basket Press Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005 (sc) Lightish red in colour with moderate depth, it smells earthy and brambly and tastes savoury and herbal with smoky oak, leather and grippy tannins. It's very dry and just a little stalky with plenty of underlying zesty acidity underpinning the currant-like fruit and creamy oak. 14% alc. $24.99. 31Oct2007.

Sacred Hill Broken Stone Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) A deep dark boysenberry red in colour, dense and opaque but just a little finer in appearance than the Helmsman. On first opening there's a mocha note to the deep tarry scent with a layering of chocolate that carries through to the palate of this powerfully fruity yet earthy funky wine. A few days later from the same tightly closed bottle there were savoury cedary aromas with a milk chocolate and cherry overtone and bright spicy flavours that tingle the tongue. It has opened up beautifully with what would be akin to decanting, with chocolate, plums, currants and cedar over a savoury backbone and a touch of leather and a sweet smoky finish. There's also fruitcake and a slight suggestion of mint to this juicy blockbuster and although it is still moderately earthy, the funky nuance has gone. 14% alc. $64. 6&10Jul2008.

Saint Clair Marlborough Rapaura Reserve Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep blueberry jam red. Smoky oak and cherries on the nose with hints of vanilla and tobacco. Juicy in the palate with spicy creamy oak, red fruits and underlying acidity with vanillin sweetness and hints of mint on the dark, savoury finish. Aged in American oak, 50% new, for 14 months. Immediately approachable. 13.5% alc. $24.95. 21Jul2007.

Southbank Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) On first opening, this seems like a lighter style with a Bordeaux-like cedary savouriness, a herbaceous edge and cherry fruit. It's lifted and spicy with dry tannins on the finish and a touch of mint. The next day the wine has opened up beautifully and seems a little richer with chocolate, spice, cedar and velvet-textured tannins. The age has added a pleasing mellow savouriness and the red currant fruit is juicy and jubey. 16.5/20. 13.5% alc. $20.99. 13% alc. $19.95. 24Jan2008.

Spy Valley Marlborough Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep dark red, opaque with a black red core. Wild berry aromas of blackberries and , raspberries with musk, violets and savoury oak and smoky, tarry, dark gamey flavours with dried herbs, a touch of mint, cherry and tamarillo fruit, hints of flower musk, a touch of leather and a dried herb soapiness. Tannins are thick and grainy, underlying acidity is pronounced on the finish and the oak is dark and savoury. Medium to full-bodied in weight, it is best with food and very good with lamb. Drink sooner than later. 16.5/20/ 13.5% alc. $19.95.

Te Awa Zone 6 Merlot Cabernet 2003 (c) Concentrated and deeply coloured in the glass, looking very youthful for its age. It has rich, dense aromas of earth and brambles with a touch of leather then in the palate the tannins are dense and grippy and the flavours are earthy with sweet leather, creamy oak and concentrated berried flavours that range from cherry through to cassis. The Cabernet will ensure that this wine will be long lived. A blend of 61% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc - it was also sold as Boundary 2003 for a short time in 2010. 13% alc. $38. 27Feb2010.

Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2005 - Hawkes Bay A dense rich, deep coloured, sweet-fruited succulent red with a classic cedary French oak aroma and hints of violets, there's a tarry, nuggetty, savoury, earthy undercurrent to the sweet plummy fruit with hints of chocolate, cake spice, vanillin oak. With firm dusty tannins and great length, there's a Bordeaux character wine to this blend of 43% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Verdot. 13.5% alc. $31.99. 6Feb2008.

Ti Point One Matakana Merlot 2005 (c) A deep garnet red with a black depth to the core. Complex aromatics - liquorice, cedary oak, vanilla, smoke, mocha and anise-like spice and concentrated black cherries make this wine extremely inviting, even before it has been tasted. Lovely bright fruit with complex oak spice, a beautiful plush yet fine tannin structure with just enough grip and a gorgeously long savoury finish with hints of tobacco balancing the fruit sweetness. Black cherries, purple plums, milky chocolate, anthracite and cedar. A gorgeous winter wine, it lights the fire and keeps it burning. 13.5% alc. $38. 6Jul2008.

Thornbury Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Deep in colour and deep, dark and cedary on the nose. Full-bodied, well balanced, quite a serious drop. Savoury and cedary with a little hint of mint, juicy fruit and a meaty finish with a dry, chocolatey undercurrent, it's clean and tasty and shows moderate cellaring potential. 13.5% alc. $19.95. 21Jul2007.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay 'The Gimblett' 2005 (c) A multi-grape blend (Merlot 61%, Malbec 21%, Petit Verdot 11%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Cabernet Sauvignon 2%), this is full of rich, ripe creamy oak and lush cherry and blackcurrant fruit - it is not initially as gamey as I would have thought from the Malbec component, but the gaminess appears later. This is a monumental wine - full-bodied with well integrated cedar, big lusty tannins, violet connotations and a perfumed finish that is long, long, long. Clean, ripe and rich, with underlying savouriness and a touch of chocolate and spice on the finish. A stunning wine and quite delicious. 14% alc. 19/20. 31Aug2008.

Unison Hawkes Bay 2006 (c) A concentrated blackberry red. Cedary and meaty on the nose with red berries, vanilla and almost floral overlay. A little chocolatey in the palate with well balanced underlying acidity to the ripe cherry, plum and cassis fruit with cigarbox, violets, dried herbs and just a little tickle of peppery spice - actually its very dry on the finish and gives the impression it might just have some Syrah. However meaty, leathery Merlot seems the dominant component with a touch of Cabernet of some kind. Tannins are firm and structured and even though it's a 2006, the wine is still quite tight. Excellent value if the price is right. 13.5% alc. $26.60. 25Jun2009.

Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Sweet oak on nose with herbal, cedary, paintbox scents. Similarly in palate with big grippy tannins- sweet oak, savoury oak, ripe fruits, smoke, cedar, cigar, dried herbs and violets with vinous sweetness to temper the dry grippy finish. Developing some secondary bottle age character but still an immense wine that needs time and definitely needs food. 86% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 8% CS - matured in French & American oak for 22 months. 14% alc. $49.99. 20May2009.

West Brook Blue Ridge Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (sc) A rich, robust leathery wine with concentration and depth to the colour and flavour. There's smoky savoury oak on the nose, berries and plums in the palate, with an earthy richness from the malbec and rose petals on the lingering finish. The potential is clearly there, but the wine will benefit from more cellaring. 13% alc. $24.95. 7Jan2007.

Wishart Legend Hawkes Bay 2005 (c) Densely coloured, rich juicy and savoury. Blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cab Franc with Syrah adding a spicy layer - an icing to the fruitcake body that's packed with plums and black fruit. Robust tannins and underlying hints of Brett. The Brett was more pronounced with some food - not so much with steak and mushrooms, but definitely with my Tamarillo Beef. It was distracting to me. 13.4% alc. $34.95. 10Jul2009.

Wishart Te Puriri Hawkes Bay Merlot 2005 (sc) Dark berry red, showing from fading synonymous with its age. Sweet yet savoury aromas with some vanillin oak intermingling with rich beef stock and a slight leathery barnyard note too. A reasonably sumptuous aroma but a bit of an anti-climax in the palate - it is quite herbaceous, salty and savoury with grainy textured tannins and fruit paying a very minor role. But then a vinous sweetness sets in to offset the savouriness. 18 months in oak. 13% alc. $20. 13Jan2009.

Allan Scott Marlborough Merlot 2004 (sc) Cherry-red of medium depth. Fruity to the taste with a toasty backbone and a hint of savoury on the finish, it develops a liquorice complexity after it's been open for a day or so. Initially a soft easy-going style that will appeal to the masses but becoming much more complex with time. 14% alc. $25.90. 28Aug2005.

Alpha Domus The Navigator 2004 - Hawkes Bay (sc) Very expressive aroma with a lovely purity of blackcurrant fruit with a subtle backing of vanillin oak and mint. The palate delivers what the nose promises. Ripe, juicy, full-bodied and flavoursome with firm tannins melting into the fruit and a dark savoury finish with blackberry, plums, a little flourish of spice and a hint of chocolate. A blend of 42% Merlot, 30% Cab Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec, matured in 70% French & 30% American oak (70% new) for 20 months. 13.5% alc. $27.00. 21Jul2007.

Black Barn Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Mature red, fading, with quite watery edges. There's barnyard on the stinky nose, it smells faulty and the palate is not much better with barnyard, stewed berry fruits, dry tannins and alcoholic heat on the finish. Unbalanced and hot, green and stalky - and evidently all four bottles opened were the same. 65% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec with two years in mature oak. 13.5% alc. $25.99. 21Mar2007.

Black Barn Vineyard Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2004 (D) Savoury and smoky with a silky tannin structure, a 'sweet leather' undercurrent and hints of dried herbs while lifted acidity adds brightness. It has a Bordeaux character with currant-like fruit while smoky oak adds a lovely note to the finish which is long in its subtle attack. Later chocolate emerges on the nose and in the palate. Great value at $25. 13.5% alc. 9Oct2007.

C J Pask "Declaration" Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (c) A deep rustic red, dense in the core with some bricking on the edges. Fragrant with sweet oak, leather and barnyard on the nose and a sweet, spicy, meaty palate with fine tannins and flavours reminiscent of chocolate biscuits, cassis, cedar and mint with lots of smoke and leather on the expansive mouthfilling finish. A generous wine from a very good vintage but seems ready now and unlikely to improve with further cellaring. 14% alc. $53.99. 15Apr2009.

Cable Bay Five Hills Merlot Malbec Cabernet 2004 - Waiheke Island Made from a blend of 64% Merlot, 18% Malbec, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc this bright crimsoned coloured red has spicy, savoury French oak and plum fruit on the nose, although a little restrained. A very elegant style with structure and depth defined by the fine tannins and cedary oak with cassis and berry fruit that concentrates on the balanced finish. The blend of grapes is adding complexity and earthy notes with a touch of rose petal on the lingering finish. 13% alc. $32. 7Jul2006.

Capricorn Wines One Tree Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Dense red black with an opaque centre. Sweet oak and leather aromas, firm tannins, a dry, Bordeaux-like style with a long succulent, plummy finish. It is also musky in its fragrant scent - the fruit is sweet and the palate is firm, while the aftertaste is warm and plummy. 13.5% alc. $16.95. 9Nov2005.

Capricorn Wines Red Rock Gravel Pit Red 2004 (sc) A blend of Merlot and Malbec from the Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes Bay, this warm, richly-coloured, full-bodied red is ripe and rounded with spicy oak, concentrated plumy fruit, hints of leather and a long lifted savoury finish. Very smart, lovely oak balance and spice with a touch of liquorice on the finish. Sweet oak lingers. 14% alc. $19.95. 9Nov2005.
As described above with a touch of chocolate. A young wine with big tannins and plenty of life ahead of it. 14% alc. $19.95. 7Dec2005.
Shiny black red with a vibrancy to the lustre and deep crimson/purple rims. Violet, coconut and vanillin oak aromas and succulent juicy flavours with an earthy richness. There's ripe red- and black-currants, sweet oak, grunty tannins and peppery spice building to a rich, savoury, toasty finish with a lovely floral nuance to the aftertaste. A robust, mouthfilling wine. 14% alc. $19.95. 1Mar2006.

Clearview 'Enigma' 2004 - Hawkes Bay Deeply coloured with biscuity aromas, a hint of pepper, damp wool and jelly jubes. In the palate it's concentrated and rich, oaky and leathery with grippy tannins, pepper, and cigar box. It's more savoury than fruity with a touch of herb, a musky red grape richness to the finish and polished vanillin oak as it lingers. A blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet France & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Clearview's reserve label. 14% alc. $40. 17Mar2006.

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (c) Inky black-black-red. Smoky, spicy oak aromas lead into a rich, full palate that is very tightly structured at this stage with powerful tannins, warming alcohol, rich plum and currant fruit, a touch of chocolate and a smoky, cedary finish. It's a huge wine concentrated wine that definitely should be cellared at this stage. 14% alc. $23.95. 29Mar2006.
Deep, dense, boysenberry-red in colour with a fragrant leather and mocha/spice aroma that leads into a massive palate with seriously big tannins, biscuity oak, boysenberry, cherry and plum fruit, leather, liquorice and a powerful spice-influenced, almost peppery finish. With excellent cellaring potential, it needs a rare juicy steak or a creamy cheese to cut through the tannins right now. 14% alc. $23.95. 7Jun2006.
Deep black red with toasty, sweet vanillin oak on the nose and rich, ripe mouthfilling flavours of plum, Christmas cake fruit, fruit cake spices and toasty oak. It’s a powerful wine with oak playing a dominant role, big grunty tannins, a meaty richness and a lifted 'chicory' character to lingering finish. Miles in Sideways would never believe this was Merlot because it's rich and structured, powerful and long. 14% alc. $24.99. 11Oct2006.

Craggy Range Sophia 2004 - Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay Purple-red, dense and bright, there's a nuance of freshly poured bitumen amongst the sweet vanillin oak on the nose that leads into a palate that is pure concentration and class. With rich powerful flavours of succulent dark plum and cherry fruit, cigar box, violets, hints of chocolate and beautifully polished cedar oak, this is wine that will easily cellar for 10 years, but with its powerful meaty tannins it should be decanted now for utmost enjoyment. Made from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 14% alc. $44.95.5Jul2006.

Drylands Marlborough Merlot 2004 (sc) Spicy oak on the nose and ripe cherry fruit in the palate, not overly complex but soft, fruity and juicy with a well-balanced finish. Plenty of non-geeky user-appeal. 13.5% alc. $19. 28Aug2005.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep red black with rich, intense, concentrated plum aromas and rich, fruity flavours with soft tannins for its very youthful age, with a voluptuous mid-palate, a creamy oak finish and a fragrant, full-bodied aftertaste with leather and tar emerging as it lingers. 14.5% alc. $22.95. 6Sep2005.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2004 (sc) Richly coloured and fragrantly scented with a rich, full-bodied flavour of blackcurrant, cherry and tobacco (cigar box) oak with finely structured tannins, the fragrance carries through to the finish with hints of cigar and old roses on the lifted, spicy oak finish. 14.5% alc. $22.95. 6Sep2005.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Reserve Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2004 (sc) Deep, dense purple-red. Cedar, nutmeg and blackberry aromas and a concentrated, rich, plush-textured palate with delicious juicy plum and blackberry fruit, biscuity oak, liquorice, spice box, vanilla, toast, an earthy depth and a floral nuance. Silky and seamless with tannins you can wrap your tongue around, this stunning wine is already a pleasure to drink, but will bring extra rewards with cellaring. 52% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec. 14.5% alc. $53.99. 6Sep2006.
Inky red with a red black core, bright with no hint of fading. Powerful aromas have a floral nuance and a hint of black nugget and it's full-bodied and spicy to the taste with creamy oak, liquorice, fruit cake spices, plums and juicy dark red and purple berries. Lots of oak, but harmonious and succulent, long and dry with a serious tannin structure but ample fruit to balance the tannins and oak beautifully. So young but oh so drinkable with excellent cellaring potential. 14.5% alc. $53.99. 30Nov2006.
Deep dark red. Deep, spicy, complex, concentrated red and black fruit aromas with sappy, cedary oak open up nicely with time in the glass revealing more savoury, leathery traits. Full-bodied, rich and robust to the taste with a silkiness to the creamy texture, plum and fleshy black peach fruit and an aromatic lift and vibrancy to the finish and aftertaste. From a blend of two vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, this wine is developing beautifully and is a stunning match to a braised lamb fillet with a minted pea mash. 14.5% alc. $60. 14Aug2007.

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay The Terraces 2004 (sc) Deep blueberry red with black in the core of the glass, the aroma is deep, complex and spicy with voluptuous smoky oak, creamy integrated red fruits and hints of vanilla and cherry. Oak is still quite dominant in the palate but it's creamy, spicy and integrated with a lovely velvety plushness to the slightly grainy texture, hints of anise and mocha, predominantly black fruits with a touch of spiced cherry and chocolate emerging on the lasting finish. A blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc from the same vineyard picked on the same day and co-fermented together in a true 'field blend' style, then matured for 21 months in 100% new oak, this delicious wine with wonderful potential for the future. 14.5% alc. $125. 14Aug2007.

Gladstone 12,000 Miles Wairarapa Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet 2004 (sc) A light coloured red, translucent with a rosy hue. Wild berries on the nose, wild strawberries, earth, herbs, little influence of oak with cherries and strawberries over an earthy backbone, a sweet fruit finish and a savoury aftertaste. Soft, smooth, fresh, fruity and tangy. 13% alc. $16.95. 4Apr2007.

Hatton Estate Gimblett Road Merlot 2004 Great depth of blackberry colour and rich in the palate for its medium weight. There's plenty of upfront fruit and spice with smoky oak, firm ripe tannins and a juicy finish. A very appealing, 'drink this winter' style. $19.95. 25Mar2005.

Hinchco 'The Hinch' Matakana Merlot 2004 (sc) Dark cherry red in colour, the creamy spicy aromas have a whisper of the cherry fruit within. Spicy and lifted with well structured tannins, concentrated ripe cherry and plum fruit and spicy, creamy oak, there are hints of florals and dried herbs on the long savoury, cedary finish. Smooth and satisfying. Aged in 75% French and 25% American oak for 18 months. 13% alc. $30. 10Jul2007.

Huntaway Reserve Gisborne/Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) Vibrant deep dark red with purple tones. Concentrated savoury oak and plummy fruit on the nose. There's an baked tomato and balsamic character at first in palate with grainy tannins and a touch of mint but this is quickly surpassed by juicy, chocolatey flavours with rich red berry fruit, smoky vanillin oak, form, suave tannins and a dark, cedary, finish. There's a touch of leather and tar, too, and just the slightest suggestion of herbs on the long, savoury aftertaste. A dry, sophisticated style. 13.5% alc. $19.95. 27Jul2006.

Hyperion Gaia Merlot 2004 - Matakana Deep, translucent, dark cherry red. Vanilla and cedar aromas, with clean plum and cherry fruit. A full-bodied style with slightly grippy tannins, and a sappy, smoky bacon character on the finish. The fruit is bright and fresh and the finish is lingering. 14% alc. $34. 19Mar2006.

Karikari Estate Northland Merlot Malbec 2004 (sc) Milk powder and wild blackberries on the nose and spicy to the taste with a plush, grainy, crushed velvet texture, plenty of tannin and power with a creamy oak backbone, ripe currant and cherry fruit and more spice to titillate the finish. A blend of 58% Merlot, 23% Malbec and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% alc. $26.90. 28Aug2005.
Wild berry aromas - this interesting 'wild' character transfers to the palate. Earthy, perhaps a touch of barnyard with a big tannin structure, lots of coal embers in the dark toasty oak. 9Nov2004.

Kathy Lynskey 15 Rows Reserve Marlborough Merlot 2004 Vibrant, violet tinged plummy red. Concentrated in colour and powerful in its attack with cigar box and violets on the nose and sweet spicy oak and concentrated fruit in the palate with smooth meaty tannins and well-balanced oak. It's rich and weighty with cherry, plum and a floral nuance on the long smoky finish. 14% alc. $47.99. 6Sep2006.
Dark red with fading edges, on the nose there's perfumed sweet sappy oak, berries and tobacco. Cherry and red plum fruit fill the grainy textured palate supported by vanillin oak, nugget and tar. Matured in American and French oak for 15 months, it's ripe, round and very approachable despite the tannins. 14% alc. $47.99. 25Apr2007.

Lincoln Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep red, though not opaque. Lovely ripe fruit and cedary vanillin oak on the nose, rich, ripe and creamy in the palate with silky tannins and sweet oak with coconut-like nuances, like a Cherry Ripe (cherry, coconut and chocolate) bar. A very appealing style with lots of natural fruit sweetness and an intriguing savouriness to the lingering finish - and beautiful with a rare roast of sirloin. 14% alc. $32.00. 7Jul2006.

Matahiwi 'Holly' Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 A deeply coloured, smoky, savoury wine with an earthy richness, firm tannins, cigar box, blackberry and spiced plum fruit and a spiciness to the full-bodied, cedary oak finish. Quite robust with a juicy aftertaste. 14% alc. $23. 17Oct2005.

Matariki Quintology 2004 - Hawkes Bay (c) A deep but bright colour with a red-black core and crimson edges. Deep, concentrated, winey aromas with a touch of cedar, a hint of spice and a cherry sweetness - it seems quite Merlot dominant on the nose yet it is beautifully fragrant. And it's generous to the taste too, with juicy ripe cherry, plum and blackcurrant fruit, spice and a complex, sweet smoky oak undercurrent. The velvety tannins have a grainy edge while a touch of acidity adds a bright disposition to the finish while a long, savoury cedary aftertaste balances the fruit sweetness. Already seductive and one you want to drink. A blend of 32.3% Merlot, 24.34% Cabernet Franc, 20.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.4% Syrah and 10.2% Malbec. 13.4% alc. $45. 21Jun2008.

Matua Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep plummy red in colour, very appealing to the eye, with spiced berry fruits and creamy oak on the nose and ripe plum and berry fruit in the palate, succulent vanillin oak, a nuance of cigar box and a long, juicy finish. With its soft, juicy tannins it is very much a quaffer, but a good fruity quaffer at that. 13% alc. $15.95. 31Oct2005.

Matua Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) A rich red colour with medium depth, this is a light, fruity style with fruitcake cherry aromas and crisp red berry flavours supported by soft tannins and creamy oak with a long, juicy, darker fruit, savoury finish. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% alc. $15.95. 8Jul2006.

Mills Reef Elspeth Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (c) Inky red black coloured with fragrant cedar aromas and creamy oak flavours. A big, rich juicy wine with vanilla, blackberry and plum fruit, firm velvety tannins and a rich, succulent, earthy finish. 14% alc. $36. 11Nov2005.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2004 (sc) Dense black-red in colour. Very fragrant with musk, violet and creamy chocolate scents. Succulent to the taste with juicy fruit, over a sweet, cedary backbone, velvet tannins. A lovely wine with vanilla coming through to linger with black peach, plum and a rich earthiness to the still succulent finish. 14% alc. $19. 9Nov2005.
Creamy oak, though subtle, with milky berries and cherries. Lots of fragrant juicy fruit with nicely integrated oak, spiced blackberries, plums, cedar, ripe tannins and a smokiness to the finish. Good acidity to carry the finish and nicely balanced throughout. Golf medal quality and top wine of the Malbec and Malbec blends tasting. 14% alc. $19.95. 17Mar2006.

Morton Estate Hawkes Bay The Mercure 2004 (sc) A medium-weight garnet red with flashes of ruby, this is a fragrant wine with plummy fruit, hints of liquorice, savoury oak and floral nuances. It's medium-bodied with soft tannins and ripe, creamy flavours, silky smooth tannins, a touch of spice and juicy red fruit. American oak adds sweetness, there is a pinot noir-like savoury complexity and the finish is long. A very appealing food-friendly wine made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes with 12 months maturation in French and American oak and bottle aged before release. 13.5% alc. $18.95. 22Jun2007.

Morton Estate White Label Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Light in colour, but not in flavour. Cherries and smoky oak on the nose. Slightly peppery in the savoury palate with bitter cherry fruit and perhaps a hint of chocolate underpinned with firm, velvety tannins and crisp berry fruit. A fine-textured, medium to full-bodied wine with ripe fruit and a little bit of grunt. Fermented in stainless steel and matured in oak for 12 months. 13% alc. $16.95. 21Jul2007.

Mount Riley Marlborough Merlot Malbec 2004 (sc) Crimson red with violet hues. Plums and smoky oak on the nose. Grainy textured with vanillin oak, red berries and a meaty, savoury nuance. The fruit becomes juicy and rich, reminiscent of blackcurrants and blackberry with soft tannins and a long lifted finish. 14% alc. $18.95. 4Jun2005.
Deep plummy red with a black hued core. Rich and fruity smelling with smoky oak and a vibrantly spicy palate with a hint of chocolate raisin on the strongly flavoured, savoury earthy finish. 14% alc. $15.95. 19Oct2005.

Mudbrick Shepherds Point Waiheke Island Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep plummy red. Smoky cedary oak with hints of vanilla , liquorice, spice, stewed berry fruit and a nuance of herb and a toasty influence throughout the palate, firm tannins add robustness while blackberry and plums add fruity sweetness to the lingering, smoky finish. 13% alc. $39.99. 6Sep2006.

Nobilo Icon Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (c) Concentrated in colour with expressive aromas of robust vanillin oak, cherry and a touch of mint-like herb, it's smooth and silky in the palate with succulent fruit, loads of vanillin oak, a touch of peppermint and a savoury finish with good grip and length. With medium acidity, this is well-balanced and very drinkable. 13.5% alc. $22.95. 27Jul2006.

Ngatarawa Glazebrook Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 Deep dark red, meaty vanillin oak on the nose, sweet-fruited plums and cherries in the palate with creamy vanillin oak and a chocolatey undercurrent. Good structure and concentration with a dry finish. 14.5% alc. $24.00. 7Jul2006.

Obsidian Weeping Sands Waiheke Island Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep ruby-edged, plummy red. Smoky cedar on the nose and juicy flavours of plum that sit well with the sweet leather, supple tannins and smoky vanillin oak. Well-balanced acidity carries the finish with a touch of cigar box and a fruity aftertaste. 13.5% alc. $22.99. 6Sep2006.

Rose Tree Cottage Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep red-black garnet in colour, this is a little closed on the nose at first but cedary vanillin oak and stewed plum notes emerge. Concentrated in the palate with spicy oak, plums and cassis, a touch of anise adding an exotic layer, firm grainy tannins, cedary French oak, mocha, cinnamon, cloves and oranges zest. A full-bodied, rounded, nicely balanced wine with a dry finish. 13.5% alc. $27.95. 27Jul2006.

Sacred Hill Basket Press Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) A big oaked, tarry, savoury wine with quite grippy tannins and an earthy mid-palate with plum and black fruits, savoury oak and a juicy long finish. 13.5% alc. $17.95. 29Jun2005.
A deep dense red with lighter red rims. Smoky herbal aromas and savoury flavours with dry tannins that have an underlying succulence, fleshy plum and berry fruit and an earthiness to the long savoury aftertaste that builds in power and lingers with a spicy fruity richness. 13.5% alc. $17.95. 19Oct2005.

Saint Clair Marlborough Merlot 2004 (sc) When I first smelt this wine, it reminded me of lamb shanks roasted in mint, red wine, mushrooms and citrus and it's a little tarry as well. A light to medium-bodied style, with soft grainy tannins, very little influence of oak, stewed fruit, leather boots and a sweet/savoury finish with hints of oxo. 12.5% alc. $19.95. 27Jul2006.

Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Marlborough Merlot 2004 (sc) Vibrant dark red with purple tones. Expressive aromas of spicy cedary oak and rich berry fruits lead into a big, sweet-oaked wine with tea-like tannins, boysenberry and plum fruit, loads of cinnamon, anise and clove-like spices, a touch of orange zest and plenty of cedary oak. Full-bodied, robust and flavoursome, it's very drinkable if you like a chunky, oaky style but I'd like the oak toned down to let the fruit sing. 13% alc. $24.95. 27Jul2006.

Sacred Hill Brokenstone Merlot 2004 - Hawkes Bay (sc) Reddish-black boysenberry coloured, deep and dark. The aroma is smoky, sweet and jammy with hints of forest floor, and the flavour is opulent and seductive with ripe, Merlot-driven fruit, succulent, silky, cherry biscuit tannins, and a dark, smoky, black fruit finish. There's a touch of allspice as the beautifully rounded flavours linger and even a hint of chocolate. 14% alc. $59.95. 11Jun2006.

Sacred Hill Helmsman Cabernet Merlot 2004 - Hawkes Bay (sc) Similar to the Brokenstone in colour with perhaps a little more red. Sweet creamy oak and juicy red berry aromas fill the nose while the taste is full of ripe currant-like fruit and plums and tobacco with a hint of leather and firm ribena-like acidity supporting the fruit. The tannins are surprisingly smooth and rounded, surprising because when I tasted this at the Hawkes Bay Hot Red Roadshow a few weeks before I found this wine's tannins quite overpowering. Today they seem so integrated and smooth in comparison, while the finish is long and creamy with a surge of crisp red berry fruit as it lingers. 14% alc. $59.95. 11Jun2006.

Selaks Premium Selection Marlborough Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep crimson colour. Lollyish, purple fruits aroma with a meaty nuance. The lollyish flavour continues into the palate - quite a fruit driven style but with creamy savoury smoky oak in the background. Soft tannins, medium bodied and a spicy aftertaste but just a little short. 13.5% alc. $15. 4Jun2005.

Shipwreck Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) Deep ruby with a savoury, earthy scent that has a hint of farmyard and perhaps a hint of chocolate. Medium-bodied and spicy to the taste with earth, cherry, cassis, plum and vanillin cedar imparted by the sweet oak, and fruit cake nuances. Wonderfully smooth and creamy with amazing concentration and richness, this juicy little number is holding out extremely well for a 4 year-old wine. Wine of New Zealand from various regions made by Okahu Estate. 14% alc. $14.99. 19Jul2008.

Te Awa Boundary 2004 (c) A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, it is deep crimson black in colour with bright aromatics - but dense, deep, rich and intense nevertheless. In the palate the first thing that hits me is the fruit ripeness. It's very ripe, spicy, and juicy with an array of fruit from strawberry through to cherry to blackberry and plum - and then there's the chocolate and I am seduced. The tannins are powerful yet fine and the whole impression is of a sumptuously smooth, deep, creamy textured wine with lovely fruit weight, a savoury backbone and a long, juicy full-bodied finish. 14% alc. $40. 27Feb2010.

Te Awa Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (c) Deep dark red, almost opaque. Creamy vanillin oak aromas with red-fruits-baking-in-pastry scents, cherries and hints of spice. Smoky and savoury to the taste with tight fine-textured tannins, cedary French oak, tobacco, smoky bacon, liquorice, juicy red fruit and a very dry, savoury, earthy, slightly bitter finish. Complex with layers of flavour, this is well-made with potential to improve over the next couple of years. 13.5% alc. $22.90. 22Jun2007.

Thornbury Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 Deep plummy red with a blackish core and ruby rims. Full of plush sweet oak, it smells of polished cedar and cigar box and tastes creamy and spicy with juicy, concentrated plum and berry fruit, smooth tannins and a spiciness to the lingering finish. Robust and tasty, full of flavour, fruit is the winner on the day. 13.5% alc. $19.99. 6Sep2006,

Te Whau The Point Double-Barrel Waiheke Island Merlot 2004 Vinous-rich aromas of plum and cedar. Savoury red fruit fills the full-bodied palate that's awash with big tannins that are quite grainy, just a little chunky and also quite oak-cedary. Rich and earthy with hints of chocolate, a touch of herb and a long smoky finish. give this wine a year - it will be fantastic. $45. Feb2006.

Ti Point Two Merlot Cabernet 2004 - Matakana (sc) Deep garnet red. Boysenberry and polished vanillin oak on the nose with a touch of citrus, and creamy oak in the palate with firm acidity that adds a citrussy twang, soft grainy tannins and a medium-bodied plummy finish. There's a herbal note running through the wine that adds savouriness and the finish is dry with cedary vanillin oak lingering. Multi-layered and developing nicely. 13.5% alc. $19.95. 27Jul2006.

Unison 2004 - Hawkes Bay (D) Intensely coloured, opaque deep blackberry red in the centre of the bowl gradating to a vivid pinky crimson on the edges. On the nose it is full of polished smoky cedar with concentrated black fruit emanating from its depth. It's very tight in the palate, very tight and very dry but very powerful with its complex cedary flavours, plum and cherry fruit, a creamy backbone, firm acidity and a hint of tobacco as it lingers. The tannins are big, but beautifully fine grained and integrated. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels wine growing district in Hawkes Bay. 14% alc. $28.00. 11Jun2006.

Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) A soft, medium-bodied wine with plummy fruit and spicy oak and nice grippy tannins. 14% alc. $16.95. 6Sep2005.
Deep plummy red with fragrant oak aromas and spicy, red fruit flavours with soft meaty tannins, a touch of chocolate and spice. A juicy, succulent, easy drinking wine with plenty of structure for the price. 9Nov2005.
Burgundy plum-red with a youthful crimson rim. Savoury, smoky aroma and savoury, spicy flavours with a juicy richness to the juicy bright plum and red berry fruit, soft velvety tannins, a touch of Black Forest chocolate and a long dry mouthfilling finish. Incredible value. 14% alc. $13.95. 1Feb2006.

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc) Deep dark red. On the nose blackberries infuse into smoky oak then in the palate it is full of chocolate and juicy plums with vanillin oak, smooth succulent tannins, and a long dry finish with a touch of musk as it lingers. 14% alc. $23.95. 22Mar2006.
Deep, dark, blackberry red with delicious aromas of rich creamy oak, chocolate, cherry and spice, it's a young wine with ripe plum and cassis fruit, chocolatey oak, slightly grippy tannins and a tarry undercurrent. Powerful, full-bodied and long, the main course wine, it will continue developing for some years yet. Gorgeous and a bargain at the price. I rate it 5 stars. 14% alc. $18.99. 25Apr2007.

Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004 (sc) Deep dark red, finely dense in its appearance. Rich, concentrated aromas of cedar, vanilla, plums and leather and a fruity, spicy flavour with a lick of pepper to tip of tongue, cherry and plum fruit, chocolate, an underpinning of tobacco and mint and supple succulent tannins and creamy oak. A massive wine with a spicy richness to its depth. 14% alc. $42.99. 11Oct2006.

Waimarie Muriwai Valley 'The Testament' Merlot Cabernet Franc 2004 First release of this wine from the home vineyard's fruit, it's a deep ruby red with smoky cedar aromas and a creamy. Smooth, velvety textured, spicy palate full of red cherry and plum fruits with hints of blackcurrants, a touch of tobacco and beautifully integrated cedary oak. Underlying acidity adds vibrancy to the wine without overpowering. It's ripe, luscious and creamy - a very good wine. 13% alc. $21. 11Jun2007.

Alpha Domus House Merlot 2003 – Hawkes Bay Garnet red, earthy smelly, slightly tarry with plenty of dirty barnyard-like aromas, this wine is dry and tannic, even a little musty while slightly unripe plum flavours give a bitey finish. A rough red in the truest sense. 13% alc. $12.95. 5Jan2005.

Black Barn Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2003 Deep pinky red. Sweet cherry fruit and spicy vanillin oak on the nose. Ripe and juicy in the palate with plum and cherry fruit, creamy textured spicy oak and fairly substantial tannins. A complex and intriguing wine with purple fruits and violets coming through together with a hint of mint and tobacco. The finish becomes quite savoury and then the cassis of the cabernet with a chocolatey undercurrent builds on the lingering aftertaste. The blend is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. 13% alc. $24.95. 7Jul2006.

Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot 2003 Black! Sweet vanillin oak, cherry, chocolate and leather on the nose. Big, rich and chocolatey in the palate with bright red fruits, Christmas cake spices, a touch of mint, firm grippy tannins and a long dry finish. A powerful meaty wine, it really needs to evolve in the cellar for a couple of years. 13% alc. $26.95. 11May2005.
Deep plummy red with ripe berry and currant scents leading into a very dry, richly tannic palate with plum, tobacco and cigar box flavours, quite high acidity and a smoky touch to the leathery finish. 13% alc. $23.95 special. 2Nov2005.

Crossroads Hawkes Bay Destination Series Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (c) Vibrant boysenberry red. Savoury, cedary, herbal aromas with a touch of blackberry and a nuance of mint lead into a dry wine with soft acidity, a fine silky tannin structure, beautifully integrated French oak and dark plum and black berry fruits. It flows across the palate to linger with a meaty, savoury finish where rosemary comes into to play with the berry fruit and smoky sweet oak. With everything in balance this wine delivers. 13% alc. $19.95. 27Jul2006.

Fencepost Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2003 (sc) A light to medium weight wine with a ruby red colour, cherry and leather on the nose and more in the palate with smoky cedary oak, firm tannins, cherry and plums and leathery flavours lingering. 12.5% alc. $16. 1Feb2005.

Framingham Marlborough Merlot Malbec 2003 (sc) Deep garnet-ruby red, not quite opaque. Meaty aromas at first then fragrant vanillin oak and hints of cherries. In the medium to full-bodied palate it's creamy with hints of coconut, cigar and ripe juicy cherry and blackberry fruit with lovely vinosity, smooth tannins and a little flash of acidity in the form of citrus peel emerging on the dark, earthy, smoky finish. It's quite drinkable and voluptuous, could be from across the ditch rather than across the Strait. Very appealing. Drinking beautifully now. Hard to believe it is four years old. 13.5% alc. $25. 22Jun2007.

Karikari Estate Northland Merlot Malbec Cabernet 2003 (sc) Deeply hued, almost opaque. Bright cherry fruit, creamy oak and an earthiness typical of malbec with a violet/herbal note, cassis/plum fruit, firm tannins, reasonable acidity and lingering cedary oak. I'd like to see this develop in the bottle for a little while longer. A blend of 53% Merlot, 36% Malbec and 11% Cab Sauv. 13.2% alc. $26. 21Sep2004.
Dark, earthy, tarry and medicinal, almost pooey, through the fruit is sweet. Medicinal in the palate too with rough, chunky tannins, but get past this, way past this and you find concentrated black fruit and dark tarry oak with a creaminess as it lingers. I find it hard to get past the initial assault of flavours, though. 13.2% alc. $25.95. 17Mar2006.

Kathy Lynskey 15 Rows Marlborough Merlot 2003 A rich, concentrated, full-bodied red - it's a surprise to find that it's from Marlborough. A powerful wine with fine tannins, plum and blackberry fruit, a hint of chocolate, spicy cedary oak and a vanillin sweetness to the long, long finish. It is a very polished wine and definitely needs a big glass. 13.5% alc. $45. 30Mar2006.

Main Divide Marlborough Merlot Cabernet 2003 A crimson-red coloured, earthy smelling wine with cherry and plum fruits, fruit cake spices, a touch of anise and polished cedary oak with flavours like throaties lollies lingering on the finish. A reasonably complex style with smooth, dryish tannins and good mouthfeel. $17.50. 28Aug2005.

Matua Valley Matheson Merlot Cabernet 2003 (sc) Deep red, almost inky. Meaty smelling chocolatey oak and rich, juicy, succulent, mouthfilling flavours with leather, cedar, mint, liquorice, cassis and chocolate. A crowd pleaser with lots going on. 13% alc. $20.95. 4Jun2005.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2003 (sc) Deep red. Spicy vanillin oak with cassis and a hint of mint and pepper. Appealing sweet vanillin oak aromas. Quite firm, dry leathery tannins, sweet creamy oak, juicy cherry, plum and cassis fruit that lingers with a finish that grabs you, makes you think, wow, that wasn't bad. Lovely marriage of fruit and oak and a smidgen of mint on the aftertaste. 12.5% alc. $19.95. 4Jun2005.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2003 (sc) Crimson red with violet flashes. Sweet vanillin oak on the nose and spicy oak in the palate with liquorice, nutmeg, ripe -plumy fruit and a sweet oak finish with just a hint of mint. A well structured wine with a juicy drinkability and a dry, savoury aftertaste. 13% alc. $19.95. 4Jun2005.

Okahu Shipwreck Merlot Cabernet 2003 (sc) A lighter, translucent coloured wine with savoury oak, sweet plummy fruit, peppermint, a silky texture and a juiciness to the aftertaste. Just a little light and short. 12.5% alc. $16.95. 4Jun2005.

Pegasus Bay Maestro Merlot Malbec 2003 (sc) Deep, plummy red black and almost opaque in appearance with sweetly fragrant nutty oak aromatics, this is a succulent mouthfilling, rich, savoury, full-bodied, 'robust' red with ripe plummy fruit, creamy oak, sweet mulled wine spices, velvety tannins and a chocolatey richness. In fact the creamy chocolate with its berry infusion just overtakes the aftertaste in the most appealing way. There's a hint of spiced dried orange peel and perhaps a hint of pepper or something adding a brightness to the whole. A stunning Waipara red made from a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% alc. $43.95. 25Jan2008.

Saint Clair Marlborough Merlot 2003 (sc) Cherry pink-red. Savoury smelling - leather and berries, a hint of cigar. Sweet fruit, cassis, strawberry, violets, lots of creamy oak and a hint of liquorice. Nicely structured suave tannins and a long juicy finish with a little bit of a spicy suede-like kick. 13% alc. $19.95. 4Jun2005.

Saint Clair Rapara Reserve Merlot 2003 (sc) Deep red. Blackberry and liquorice on the nose, crisp and juicy cracked fruit first up in the palate, the blackberry and plum fruit becomes quite intense, almost liquerish. Ripe and round with smooth velvety tannins, a depth to the full-bodied flavour - liquorice, sweet concentrated fruit - blackberries, boysenberries, plum and cherry, creamy vanillin oak and a sultry savouriness to the lingering finish. A well-structured, opulent wine. 13% alc. $23.95. 4Jun2005.

Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Marlborough Merlot 2003 (sc) Smelling a little rubbery on opening, like tyres in the hot sun, and a bit thin in the plate with spices, a touch of green pepper and cherry fruit. A very simple style. 13% alc. 28Aug2005.

Selaks Premium Selection Merlot 2003 (sc) made from 'East Coast' fruit, this is a light to medium-bodied wine, Burgundy red in colour, fruity and soft, perhaps a little sweetish and is quite appealing on entry but the fnish lets it down. Overall it is little out of balanced with slightly drying furry tannins and a sharp, bitter finish with clove-like oak. Liked it better a couple of days later when fruit cake richness becomes more apparent. **(*) 13% alc. $15. 10May2004.

Stonecroft Ruhanui 2003 - Hawkes Bay 63% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah. Rich and concentrated with a deep translucent red colour, leathery aromas and plum, leather and cigar flavours with firm grainy tannins and a cedary backbone peeling back to reveal the fruit concentration and weight. A youthful wine, still developing, but opens up beautifully in the glass to let some violets, rose petals, a touch of cedary chocolate and tobacco come through. A with structure, power and length, at this stage really needs food. Try BBQ fillet of lamb or Confit of Duck. Diam closure. 13.5% alc. $30. 24Feb2005.

Te Mata Awatea 2003 - Hawkes Bay 47% Merlot, 37% Cab Sauv, 11% Cab Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. An appealing crimson red with purple hues. Warmly textured with dry tannins, cigar, and hints of chocolate. Lovely fruit, savoury smoky oak, very suave, almost seamless as it seduces the palate. Aromatic throughout with a lovely expression of liquorice and fruit on the finish. Opens up beautifully in the glass and leaves a smoky, cedary aftertaste with lingering hints of musk, liquorice, cigar, leather and cassis/cherry fruit. 13.5% alc. $29.95. 12Apr2005.
Youthful coloured, reasonably opaque burgundy red (like a young pinot), with slightly smoky, earthy, berry aromas and black plum and berry flavours, savoury French oak, tight grippy tannins, a hint of pepper, some tobacco leafy characters and a long, vinous finish. 13.5% alc. $33.95.28Dec2005.