Hawke’s Bay cabernet sauvignon blends rarely get better than this. Dense in colour, it has a captivating nose of blackcurrants, …

Established in 1897, this vineyard was the source of New Zealand’s first commercial cabernet sauvignon in 1949. Cabernet remains a …

A mellow, rich merlot blend that fits well with roast beef. Aromas of raspberries, herbs and mocha introduce a welcoming, …

Few wineries have a location as lovely as Esk Valley, nestled beside terraced hillsides of vines and looking out to …

Villa Maria’s budget credentials get yet another fillip from this young merlot/cabernet blend. It’s an aromatic, fresh drop, with blueberry, …

A very fine young cabernet merlot that’s still a bit closed up in youth, ideally needing evolution in bottle, but …

From an organic vineyard at the edge of the sought-after Gimblett Gravels, this merlot will sit beautifully alongside thick steaks …

An impressive Bordeaux-style blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc with malbec and merlot. The nose is full of interest …

Coopers Creek’s winemaker Simon Nunns is also a wine judge, educator, keen cyclist, true gentleman and all round renaissance type. …

An inky Hawke’s Bay cabernet with concentrated cassis and berry fruit that has seamlessly swallowed up plenty of toasty oak. …

Elephant Hill is a spectacular Hawke’s Bay winery, with impressive views of the Pacific and Te Awanga coastline. This attractive …

New Zealand’s oldest winery is a national treasure, with elegant old buildings, picturesque views, and a rich history. Mission’s wines …

A more substantial wine than Mission Estate’s lightish cabernet franc, this deep crimson-coloured blend smells of blackcurrants, blackberries, herbs and …

The last instalment in the trio of Mission Estate Reserve reds, the merlot features loose-knit plummy fruit, a whiff of …

Te Awa’s merlot cabernet has a rather straightforward personality. It’s not as complex as some, but its direct, uncomplicated style …

This is a must for the budget conscious. It’s a deep, purplish wine with blackcurrant, raspberry and toasty aromas, and …

Many winemakers in Australia seem confused by merlot. Not so in New Zealand, where strongly varietal merlots are much more …