“Fragrant, dark, rich and supple, the very graceful 2017 vintage of this estate-grown Waipara red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). A notably refined example of Malbec, it is full-bodied, with dense, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours.”

“This is impressively fruited and brooding, showing blackberry, cake spice, roasted nut and smoked game characters on the nose … It's equally satisfying on the palate, displaying excellent weight and fruit richness combined with generous texture and supple tannins, finishing wonderfully long and flavoursome.”

“Inky purple with dense, graphite and wet clay aromas providing a counterpoint to the concentrated, spiced coulis of blackberry, black plums, dark cherry and violets. … The palate is sleek and powerful; the same dense purple fruit/floral notes from the nose drive right through from start to finish, hiding impressively ripe, chocolatey tannins. Intense yet elegant, … The finish is dry, a bit dusty and inky. This wine is intriguing. The fruit and flavours come across vivid, graphic, punchy and palate-staining, yet the structure and restraint is more Bordeaux than Mendoza. This effortlessly ripe expression is even more impressive when you consider that it comes from a traditionally cooler-climate region like North Canterbury …”

“What a great bouquet - a mash-up of dark plum and black cherry, hot stone mineral, dark spices of oak with vanilla and clove then chocolate and a moment of dried herb. On the palate - warm, fruity, fleshy, weighty and generous … yum!”

“…The nose is rich and welcoming with fragrances of black plums, blackberries, melded with violet florals, along with meaty, savoury notes … The acidity is vibrant and balanced with the richness of fruit and body; which carries a savouriness and supported by soft, natural high tannin, through to a smooth, lengthy finish. A soothing wintery wine with vibrance and structure.”