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Merlot
Merlot

The "smooth" grape variety and Bordeaux’s most planted black grape, associated with the great wines of St. Emilion and Pomerol. Merlot has become the red equivalent of chardonnay - easy to grow, malleable and marries well with other varieties. Hawkes Bay is responsible for 75% of New Zealand's Merlot.

Other Recommended
Merlot
Akaroa Harbour Merlot 2004
Gladstone Reserve Merlot 2001
Drylands Merlot 2003
Merlot Wines
Wine of the Month
Cable Bay Home Vineyard Waiheke Island Merlot 2002
Cable Bay Home Vineyard Waiheke Island Merlot 2002
Wine Description
The Home Vineyard Merlot was specially blended as a 'one-off' wine for the Waiheke Wine Festival from Waiheke merlot grown from Cable Bay vineyards. It is a fruity approachable wine, showing the characteristic warmth that is a trademark of Waiheke clay soils.
Tasting Notes
The Home Vineyard Merlot was specially blended as a "one-off" wine for the Waiheke Wine Festival from Waiheke merlot grown from our vineyards. It is a fruity approachable wine, showing the characteristic warmth that is a trademark of Waiheke clay soils.
Winemakers Notes
The grapes were hand harvested and whole bunched pressed. The juice was settled for a short period prior to racking to French oak barriques for fermentation and maturation. The wine was aged in barrel on the yeast lees for 8 months prior to blending and bottling.
WineMaker: Neill Culley and Briony Carnachan
Region: Waiheke
Cellaring: This wine will reward cellaring for 2-4 years but is drinking well now.
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Featured Wines
C J Pask Reserve Merlot 2000
Tasting Note: Garnet in colour. Intense plum, clove and sweet spicy oak on the nose. A mixture of primary plum, red berry, spice and subtle game flavours. Fine oak and structured tannins give strength and backbone
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: C J Pask Winery Ltd
Ascension Matakana Merlot 2002
Tasting Note: Bright and cheerful, it abounds with flavours of black cherries and fresh raspberries, with added aromas of smoke and vanilla from oak ageing.
Region: Matakana
Winery: Ascension Vineyard
Carrican Merlot 2003
Tasting Note: Rich, red wine with pronounced American Oak, plums, leather and a spicey earthiness, full balanced palate with expressive oak and fruit characters.
Region: Northland
Winery: KariKari Estate
Alpha Domus Merlot 2004
Tasting Note: Buy this wine from the producer An aroma of fresh and lively red fruits with dominant plum and raspberry notes. Subtle mint and oak influences. A velvety soft palate with sweet raspberry and plum characters. This is a well balanced and lightweight red with fine subtle tannins and a hint of oak.
Region: Hawkes Bay
Winery: Alpha Domus