Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2014 $50 (release date tbc) 
2014 had Ronald McDonald-sized shoes to fill seeing as 2013 was hailed as ‘the vintage of the century’ by Hawke’s Bay winemakers, yet this new vintage is sneaking up in spectacular fashion. More elegant in its approach, the core is of blueberry, leather, a click of cocoa and a whomp of pepper and waves of soft, sandy tannins. It’s an understated yet powerfully put together wine that will become a classic I’m sure.
