Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2024 $24.99 
2024 is proving to be an absolute banger of a vintage for Hawke’s Bay reds, and I think this example is one of the best-value merlots on the market right now. Grown in their Gimblett Stones vineyard, this wine is a smoky sensation that’s rich, dense and yet hugely playful on the palate. Awash with dark berryfruits, dark cocoa, exotic spices, earthy iron filings and leather on the finish, it’s complex, textural and totally sippable with slices of garlicky peppery salami.
