Puriri Hills, Clevedon (Auckland, New Zealand) “Harmonie Du Soir” 2019 ($85, Salveto Imports)

Puriri Hills, a winery more typically associated with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, is making waves with their Bordeaux-style wines that stand proudly on the world stage. The 2019 vintage is a masterful blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, and Carmenère. This wine is effortlessly elegant, displaying an expressive bouquet of herbal and earthy notes reminiscent of Margaux, yet with the deep, vibrant black and red fruit character often seen in top-tier Pomerol wines. On the palate, the wine exudes a captivating blend of graphite, cedar, and freshly turned earth, creating a strikingly complex profile. It is beautifully balanced—lithe and refined without tipping into the overly decadent territory.
95 Miranda Franco