Monowai Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2022 $24.99 
From the top terraces of the Ngaruroro River, way out west of Hastings, comes a merlot heaving with dried herbs, dark cocoa, smoked berries, and pepper. It really opens up in the glass with some good swirling, and it’s the kind of merlot I can get extremely possessive about. A bit like the way my husband refuses to part with his favourite ancient, mushy, flat, yellow-stained emotional support pillow, but way more hygienic. Enjoy with Tunisian lamb skewers.
