Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"On release it has a dense inky hue. A surge of blackcurrant greets the nose, interwoven with impressions of liquorice, peppermint, dark soy, coffee, leather, and a trace of violet. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety, beautifully balanced with ripe tannins and a backbone of spritely acid. This is a complex and harmonious wine, showcasing juicy fruit weight, an elegant structure, and a prolonged, moreish finish."
Reviews for the 2020 vintage below…
5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, April 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Gorgeously ripe and richly expressed, the wine shows blackcurrant, spiced cherry, cured meat, thyme and almond characters. The palate displays excellent weight and plump mouthfeel, well supported by silky texture and chalky tannins. Flavoursome and bold with a lengthy robust finish. At its best: now to 2030."
93/100 JamesSuckling.com, March 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"The red fruit with fresh herbs such as bay leaf and basil make this wine really interesting, fresh and thoughtful. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Delicious now."
92/100 & Top Value Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2020 Vintage)
"Rich, weighty and full-flavoured red with dark-fleshed plum, dark berry, chocolate/mocha, the ripe flavours suggest a favourable vintage. Gutsy wine with a relatively smooth texture. Great value at this price ($22)."
5 Stars & 18.5-/20 (92) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, April 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Deep, full, ruby-red, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is gentle, with cassis, strawberry and plum aromas interwoven with cedar and spice. Full bodied, aromas of cassis and strawberry are playful upfront, unfolding spiced plum, nutmeg and cedar. The mouthfeel is textured and structured by ripe tannins, harmonising the plush fruit. Acidity is bright with good energy, lengthens to a sustained, elegant finish. This Merlot Cabernet is well-balanced with complexity and structure, will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. Match with Waygu flank steak and beef Wellington over the next 6-8 years. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks to 13% alc, then pressed off to French oak barriques for 12 months."
91/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"This wine is ready to drink upon purchase with aromas and flavours of dark plums and blackberry fruits, there’s a layer of baking spice and mild toasty wood qualities with vanilla and toasted oatmeal. The core of fruit with acidity and fine tannins are at the core of the wine, it is balanced and well made (as always) with best drinking from today through 2025."
4 Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Delivering good value, the generous 2020 vintage was grown at Waipara and matured for a year in French oak barriques. A blend of Merlot (80 per cent) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20 per cent), it is deeply coloured, mouthfilling, fleshy and supple, with strong, ripe blackcurrant, red berry, spice and nutty oak flavours, showing good complexity. Best drinking mid-2024+. (From Pegasus Bay.)"