I was surprised by the overt oak in these wines. It comes through as flavour (like chewinga pencil), or as part of the structure, (like a dusty grip on the finish). Oak can enhance a wine but unless you relish it, wines of this type are usually more delicious with a few years bottle age.
BEST VALUE
$23
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Deliciously dark and spicy with lots of plush fruit - plums and red fruits, hints of dark chocolate, lots of oak, a firm structure, and dusty tannins.
$21
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
A gutsy wine with oodles of elderberries and dark fruits, hints of spice, underlying oak and a lively finish.
$30
Four stars
Average value
With lots of suave charm, this is not nicknamed ''guido in velvet pants'' for nothing. Made from an Italian red variety, it oozes fleshy red fruits, a hint of spice, savoury undertones and finishes with a firm grip.
$32
Four stars
Average value
Concentrated, powerful and charming with generous fruit, hints of pepper and lots of toasty, spicy oak cushioning the firm structure and tannins. A stylish wine that will continue to mellow and develop.
$23
Three and a half stars
Average value
With hints of pepper, red fruits supported by nicely balanced oak, and a lively, fresh finish, this has the lovely purity of fruit typical of Hawkes Bay syrah.
$30
Four stars out of five
Average value
An impressive wine with generous sweet fruit hinting of spicy plums, prunes and blackberries, textural with a firm structure and grippy tannins, it will develop with further bottle age.
ANOTHER GLASS
Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2012
$25
Three stars
Below average value
A lighter style of wine with sweet red fruits, oodles of oak, a hint of pepper and a dryish finish.
Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot 2012
$22
Three and a half stars
Average value
A dry, spicy wine with red fruits, a silky texture and attractive finish.
