Some of the wines in this tasting have the advantage of
bottle age but the younger ones would benefit from a few more
months to soften the rough, raw edges, and others, even at
three years old, will continue to develop further nuances
over a couple more years.
BEST VALUE
Main Divide Waipara Merlot Cabernet 2009
$20
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
At three years old, this is a mature wine, spicy with hints
of dark berries, forest floor, malt, savoury undertones and a
suggestion of cigar box, with a supple but firm finish.
www.maindivide.com
Mills Reef Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2011
$19
Three stars
Average value
A simple fruit-driven wine with lots of sweet boysenberry
flavours along with spicy oak and hints of dark chocolate,
with a surprisingly firm structure behind the almost jammy
fruit.
www.millsreef.co.nz
Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2010
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
A concentrated wine, oozing blackcurrants and red fruits with
a slightly raw edge that will soften over a few months or a
couple of years. Dense and inky with lots of spicy oak and a
suggestion of mineral with supple tannins and a fresh finish.
www.millsreef.co.nz
Sacred Hill Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2011
$23
Three and a half satrs
Average value
Bright and youthful with generous if assertive fruit, spicy
oak and a firm structure, fine-grained tannins on the finish,
this young wine will benefit from a few months or a years'
bottle age to soften the rougher edges.
www.sacredhill.co.nz
Mission Reserve Hawkes Bay Cabernet Merlot 2009
$30
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Dark fruit, plums and dark berries, savoury flavours, hints
of dark chocolate and spice bolstered by a lot of oak this is
a powerful, textural wine with firm, dusty tannins on the
finish. Drinking well now but a couple more years' bottle age
may allow it to mellow and develop more complexity.
www.missionestate.co.nz
Mission Reserve Hawkes Bay Cab Sauvignon 2009
$30
Four stars
Average value
My pick of the Mission wines in this tasting, this is
concentrated with dark fruit, a suggestion of mint and spicy
complex undertones, all supported by well-balanced oak. A big
wine with lots of things going on, it is drinking well now
but will continue to develop with a few more years bottle
age. Look for it on special.
www.missionestate.co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
Saint Clair Hawkes Bay Cabernet Merlot 2011
$21.50
Three stars
Below average value
This is Saint Clair's first Hawkes Bay red wine, although you
wouldn't know unless you read theback label. A dry wine,
tight and young, that takes some time to reveal its
restrained red fruits, hints of spicy, smoky oak and firm
finish.
www.saintclair.co.nz
Mission Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2011
$20-30
Three and a half stars
Average value
Hints of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and oak mingle with
spicy berry fruit, and finish withdusty tannins in this fresh
young wine.
www.missionestate.co.nz
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