Scarlet has become a staple here at Vino Fino in recent times. It's a good, solid, great value Hawkes Bay red blend offering plenty of aromatics, flavour and texture and ticks many boxes for many people.
Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"This blended red is a prime example of the style produced from the gravel soils of the Paritua vineyard. The wine has scented Black Doris plum and blackberry with hints of baking spice, cedar. The palate shows dark fruits dominated by plum and blackberry with a full mid palate supported by firm, ripe tannins with a sumptuous finish. The oak influence is subtle and provides spicy notes and good structure."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, August 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Intense, almost chewy red with cassis, dark berry, dark chocolate, dried herbs, cedar, vanilla and nutty oak. A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Good cellaring potential—it needs time to mellow"
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Purple and ruby core hues and a pink-ish rim lead to a ripe, robust bouquet filled with scents of blackberry and blackcurrant, dark plum and iron. Aromas of toasty baking spices and violets, vanilla and a touch of clove add complexity. On the palate a delicious wine, dry with a firm texture from tannins and acidity, the core however is the fruit adding weight and intensity with flavours that mirror the bouquet. Lengthy, well made and still coming into balance – so needs some cellar time still. That said will be drinkable today with fresh protein dishes. Best drinking from late 2024 or early 2025 through 2034+."
Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…
5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"Beautifully ripe and fragrant, the wine shows blackcurrant, dark plum, thyme, toasted nut and rich floral aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight and bright fruit intensity, wonderfully supported by fine texture and polished tannins. Flavoursome and highly enjoyable. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. At its best: now to 2030."
4 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"The 2019 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Franc (48 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (33 per cent) and Merlot (19 per cent), aged in old French oak casks. It has deep, fairly youthful colour, with a fragrant, slightly herbal bouquet. Mouthfilling, it has good concentration of blackcurrant and spice flavours, a herbal twist, a hint of nutty oak, very good complexity and refined tannins. Drink now or cellar."
4 Stars & 92/100 NZ Wine Rater, August 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"Attractive, lifted, herbal nose with earthy, damson plum aromas and notes of cassis, coffee grinds, all-spice and cedar. Medium-bodied but quite rich and flavoursome with generous, plush, concentrated fruit, layers of dense, grainy tannins and good length. Approachable now but should also cellar well."