Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $20 Peter Robertson’s been making wine in Hawke’s Bay since 1974. 1974! So he knows a thing or or twenty about turning great weather into great wine. 2018 was a bit special for Brookfields. It produced merlot full of juicy spices and supple tannins that create just the right … Read More
merlot
Stonecutter Martinborough Merlot 2019
StoneCutter Martinborough Merlot 2019 $48 The name Merlot comes from its resemblance to the blue-black plumage of the blackbird (merle). Born of a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (they don’t name grapes like they used to right), Merlot was once called Crabutet Noir – not exactly sexy, so a name change … Read More
Le Grá Wairarapa Merlot 2018
Le Grá Wairarapa Merlot 2018 $30 This is a super-fresh style with youthful acidity that I’m sure will soften out over the next year or two. Intense boysenberry and blackberry flavours join forces with spicy oak notes and lengthy, elastic tannins. If you’re looking for bigand meaty, this is more fresh and leafy, but an … Read More
I taste the 2018 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection
It’s one heck of an exciting feeling cracking open the box containing the newest Gimblett Gravels selection wines. Twelve of the greatest red wines to come from New Zealand’s most famous red wine region, selected independently by Andrew Caillard MW. They’re also selected from a talent pool consisting of dozens of hopefuls from dozens of … Read More
Zaria Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2019
Zaria Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2019 $25 If you’re looking for a softly-styled, berry, tobacco and toast-filled, fresh-as-a-daisy red wine, then you’ve come to the right place. Bright bay leaf and bouquet-garni herbs combine with cocoa, plum and a lick of blueberry to create a rather joyous thing to drink. Smooth velvety and exciting. … Read More
Canvas Drinks June 5 2021
Canvas Drinks June 5 2021 The Great Kiwi Cheeseburger I can’t think of anything nicer to wash down mouthfuls of juicy, beefy burger than the Esk Valley Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($24.99). It’s bursting with bright berries, omega plum, cherry and smoked blueberries on the nose and palate. Meaty, peppery, spice-saturated … Read More
Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($24.99) Paired with Annabel Langbein’s The Great Kiwi Cheeseburger Canvas Magazine NZ Herald June 5th 2021 I can’t think of anything nicer to wash down mouthfuls of juicy, beefy burger than the Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($24.99). … Read More
Ash Ridge Estate Bridge Pa Merlot 2019
Ash Ridge Estate Bridge Pa Merlot 2019 $21.99 From those russet-red, iron rich soils of the Bridge Pa Triangle comes this dark, inky-scarlet sensation from Lauren Swift and the team at Ash Ridge. Showing earthy, dried herb, tar, black olive and mushroomy notes drifting across the blueberry and blackberry mid-palate, it’s a soft yet generously … Read More
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019 $35 This absolute mouthquake of a blend is comprised of 78% Malbec, 14% merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and I am absolutely in love with it! Scented with cedar, blueberry, black doris plum and smoky vanilla vavoom, the palate is saturated with boysenberry, licks of … Read More
Unison Gimblett Gravels Classic Blend Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2013
Unison Gimblett Gravels Classic Blend Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2013 $40 Eight years on from vintage and this mighty merlot-dominated blend is developing an edge of espresso, cola and soy which cloaks the blueberry and dark plum in the mid-palate. Leather licked and layered with dusty tannins on the finish, this wine is maturing nicely … Read More