Red wines such as merlot, cabernet and their classic blends generally mellow and integrate with a year or so's bottle age as this tasting demonstrated.
Main Divide Marlborough Merlot Cabernet 2006
(about $19.95)
This is Pegasus Bay's second label and very reliable it is too. This Marlborough red is plush and juicy with dark berry fruit, a hint of spice, medium weight and well-structured with a long, dry, brooding finish.
- Three stars (out of five)
- Good value
Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
(about $19.95)
Look for "reserve" on the label which indicates a step up from the regular JC brand.
This Australian wine hints of toffee and spice, with velvety blackcurrant fruit and lots of oak cushioning the firm tannins.
- Three stars (out of five)
- Good value
(about $17, but look for it on special)
One of those reliable cheapies often found discounted, this Australian wine is simple and fruity with a hint of mint and jam, and a firmish finish.
- Two stars (out of five)
- Average value
(about $25)
This Marlborough winery has branched out into Hawkes Bay with this merlot, but in characteristic style, it oozes oodles of toasty, slightly smoky oak which fills out the palate and complements the masses of juicy, dark red fruit flavours.
Concentrated and intense, this is for those who enjoy full bodied, oaky wines. It will mellow with a little more bottle age.
- Two stars (out of five)
- Below average value
(about $40)
A complex, textural wine with layers of flavours - blackcurrants, elderberries, licorice, malt, a hint of dried herbs, mint and pepper, hints of dark chocolate and spicy oak, but there's also an elegance and a lingering, savoury finish.
Delicious now, but will develop with bottle age.
- Four stars (out of five)
- Average value
(about $50)
New Zealand reds don't get much better than this stylish blend of merlot cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and syrah with a few years bottle age.
It's mellowed and velvety with hints of mint, dark chocolate, pepper and spice, with underlying fruit and tannins nicely integrated. It has depth but not heaviness and a supple finish. Delicious.
Quintology is made only in suitable vintages.
- Five stars (out of five)
- Average value
~ ANOTHER GLASS ~
Craggy Range Sophia Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay 2007
(about $60)
This is one of Craggy Range's prestige labels, a supercharged wine in a heavy, broad shouldered bottle, with oodles of everything - sweet, juicy, dark berry fruit, lots of spicy oak, dark chocolate, a hint of mint and fine-grained but grippy tannins.
Nicely balanced but still young, this wine will knock your socks off now, but also mellow and develop into a very fine wine with several years cellaring. For collectors or those who wish to impress.
- Four and a half stars (out of five)
- Below average value
Dolbel Estate Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2007
(about $31)
Those looking for a promising new label might want to seek this out on the internet.
This attractive Hawkes Bay merlot hints of dark berries, chocolate and a hint of coffee and spice from the oak, with layers of velvety flavour and and a firm backbone with finely grained tannins.
Nicely balanced, stylish and will develop with a couple of years bottle age.
- Three and a half stars (out of five)
- Average value
• Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars - outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you with a sense of wonder.
- Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
