Most American wine drinkers associate New Zealand with Sauvignon Blanc. If they have to think red, they likely go for Pinot Noir. But the best Kiwi reds may well be Bordeaux-styled wines from Hawke’s Bay on the North Island. This value-priced offering is an excellent example. Concentrated and dark, it is a powerful yet graceful wine especially notable for its enthralling finish. With the stuffing to age gracefully for a good ten years, it also is a superb value. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
Esk Valley, Gimblett Gravels (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) 2014
By Paul Lukacs