Look out for the Taste Top Wine Award stickers on these bottles at supermarkets and selected liquor retailers.
$30 and under
Mills Reef 2016 Gimblett Gravels Reserve Cabernet Merlot, Hawke’s Bay $25
Deeply scented red with ripe raspberry, blackberry, cedar and mixed spice flavours that are supported by nutty oak. Accessible now but with the potential to develop well.
Newton Forrest 2015 Newton’s Law, Hawke’s Bay $25
Sweet plum, raspberry and dark berry flavours are supported by ripe tannins. Well made and quite gutsy red that offers real value at this price.
Saint Clair 2016 Gimblett Gravels, Cabernet Merlot, Hawke’s Bay $26.50
Rich, weighty red with cassis, plum and dark berry flavours seasoned with a solid spicy oak influence. Assertive wine that suggests cellaring potential.
Man O’War 2014 Cabernet Franc, Waiheke $28
Mellow and quite complex red with dark berry, liquorice, leather, malt and smoky oak flavours. Rich, soft-textured wine with an almost chewy texture.
William Murdoch 2010 Merlot Malbec, Hawke’s Bay $29.95
Surprisingly fresh but with some evidence of toasty, beef tea bottle development. Bottle-aged red offering good value at this price.
Over $30
Sacred Hill 2015 Deerstalkers Syrah, Hawke’s Bay $59.99
Very dense, rich and powerful red with strong black pepper, blackcurrant compote, liquorice and spicy oak flavours. Many other characters that will no doubt emerge in time.
Vidal 2013 Legacy Series Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Hawke’s Bay $69.99
This dense, rich and quite complex red is a top example from a top vintage. Warm, generous wine with ripe berry fruits, spice, tobacco leaf and a hint of chocolate/mocha character.
Trinity Hill 2015 Homage Syrah, Hawke’s Bay $120
Rich and intense syrah with violet, black pepper, dark berry, plum and oak flavours. Youthful, intense and potentially complex red.
Craggy Range 2015 Le Sol Syrah, Hawke’s Bay $135
Supremely elegant syrah with floral/violet, black and white pepper, dark berry, chocolate, liquorice and mixed spice flavours.
Destiny Bay 2014 Magna Praemia, Waiheke $385
Lovely cedar and dark berry flavours with a suggestion of mineral, herbs and flowers. Should age splendidly. Supremely elegant wine with great power and complexity.
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