Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020 $26 
Well well well. Straight out the gate, I’m calling this the best merlot I’ve ever tasted from Hawke’s Bay’s Matapiro subregion. Clearly the grape gods were shining down on husband and wife winegrowing team Emma Lowe and Marcelo Nunez in 2020, because those vines have produced a silky, stylish, vibrantly spiced, fruit soaked sensation. Elegantly proportioned, boosted with blueberry, boysenberry and peppered cocoa, the tannins have gentle grip and cling and I absolutely love it.
