| Select a Grape Variety |
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| 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.
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Other Recommended
Merlot |
Akaroa Harbour Merlot 2004
Drylands Merlot 2003
Gladstone Reserve Merlot 2001
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| Merlot Wines |
| Wine of the Month |
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Cable Bay Home Vineyard Waiheke Island Merlot 2002 |
| Wine Description |
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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 |
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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 |
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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:
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Neill Culley and Briony Carnachan |
| Region:
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Waiheke
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| Cellaring:
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This wine will reward cellaring for 2-4 years but is drinking well now. |
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Show Full Wine Profile
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Producer Profile |
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| Featured Wines |
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Alpha Domus Merlot 2004 |
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| Tasting
Note: |
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:
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Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
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Alpha Domus |
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Carrican Merlot 2003 |
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| 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:
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Northland |
| Winery:
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KariKari Estate |
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C J Pask Reserve Merlot 2000 |
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| 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:
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Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
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C J Pask Winery Ltd |
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