Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Merlot Franc 2018 $30 
Well kachango my mango, if this merlot blend isn’t by far the most saucy, seductively-spicy, fruit-soaked thing to sniff and sip, then I’ll be a cross-eyed coyote. I also need to stop watching so many spaghetti Westerns on Netflix. Ahem. In all seriousness however, this wine is think-and-pause perfect. Perfumed with berry blossoms, vanilla and chocolate, carrying elegant plum and blackberry notes across the palate and finishes with fine, sandy tannins. I. Am. Obsessed. With. This. Wine. Gold medal. 5 stars. Sip with Greek beef stew.
