Stonecroft has the oldest Zinfandel vines in New Zealand which originally came from California and now make this deliciously robust, smooth, plummy tasting red in Hawke's Bay. It's a big red but drinks well now thanks to ripe grapes and the accessible flavours of the Zinfandel grape variety. 

All grapes in this wine were hand picked grapes, fermented in stainless steel with hand plunged twice daily to extract tannins and weight gently. The finished wine was matured for 17 months in American oak, 30% new. Only 100 cases were made.

* Zinfandel is popular in California and also grown in Puglia, southern Italy, where it is known as Primitivo, due to being one of the first grapes to ripen each year, hence the name 'Primi'. It originally comes from Croatia where it is known as Crljenak.

This red is predominantly a Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, with smaller proportions Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to add further complexity and interest. Cherry/plum flavours and the suppleness of Merlot combine with the blackberry/blackcurrant flavours, structure, and freshness of Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a serious yet eminently drinkable wine. 

Each individual vineyard parcel was harvested separately and gently de-stemmed prior to fermentation. Gentle daily pumping over of the skins during fermentation helped extract a soft, complex structure. Extended maceration on skins following fermentation helped to further integrate and soften the tannins. Following aging in stainless steel tanks, and a short time in seasoned French oak, the individual blocks were blended to create the ideal wine. The Wine:

Clearview Winery was founded by wine lover and winemaker Tim Turvey, who was the first to plant grapes on the coast at Te Awanga, south of Napier; it's a beautiful, if windy, site, and home to a tasty fruit salad of reds with Chardonnay his leading white.

This affordable full bodied Hawke's Bay red over delivers with soft, plush Merlot playing the lead role and balanced by a robust, spicy 12% Malbec, which adds oomph and power to the wine. 

About Clearview Estate

Clearview Estate is one of oldest, most well established wineries in Hawke's Bay and is situated on the Te Awanga Coast, south of Napier. It's a great place to visit for tastings at the cellar door as well as lunch in the dappled shade of the established courtyard area. The winery was founded by Tim Turvey, winemaker and co-owner. The current winemaker is the multi talented Matt Kirby.

Typically fresh aromatics of quality Hawkes Bay Chardonnay are evident including citrus, white flowers and stone fruit. These are complemented on the palate by a creamy richness from aging on lees. Roast hazelnut, almond and hints of gunflint result from the indigenous fermentation in barrel.

Elspeth is Mills Reef?s top tier range, produced from their vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke?s Bay. This Syrah is intensely concentrated and complex, displaying luscious boysenberry, white pepper spice and liquorice notes.

Te Mata Tasting Note
The deep crimson colour of Coleraine ‘21, edged in royal purple, is the first clue to this wine’s exceptional character. Pure Hawke’s Bay cabernet aromatics leap from the glass – wild blackberry, blackcurrant, thyme, and cedar, all interwoven with that signature Coleraine perfume of fresh roses.

The palate precisely balances richness with vibrant energy; modern and varietally expressive, with cassis, raspberry, mocha, spice, and a distinctive minerality that is uniquely 2021. The fruit ripeness is so succulent, it cloaks those profound, chiselled tannins that carry the palate on endlessly. With perfume, power, finesse, and length this is an absolute original. Coleraine ’21 is ‘The One’.

Accolades

100 Points ‘undeniably THE GOAT of New Zealand wine’, Sam Kim
98 Points ‘Is it one of the best Coleraines ever?’,  James Suckling
97+ Points  ‘Incredible wine’, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
97 Points  ‘A smashing cabernet blend’, Huon Hooke, The Real Review

 

Maxim Wines is a small wine producer in Hawke?s Bay, owned by winemaker Darragh Hughes, who produces small batches of beautiful, handcrafted wines, specialising in Chenin Blanc and Syrah. 

This Chenin is a fresh, pure and expressive with white florals and stonefruit aromas, apple and citrus notes. This lovely medium-bodied wine has an elegantly concentrated core of white florals, apple, stonefruit and citrus notes. The palate possesses a fine structure and balance, the textures and acidity flow through to the taut finish.

Maxim Wines' aim is to make wines that are an honest expression of where they?re from and how they?re made, speaking the truth of the soil beneath the vines, the sun that ripened the fruit and the light touch that shaped the finished drop.

The 2018 Grand Amateur Merchant is a fresh, cool climate red made exclusively from one of Hawkes Bays most exciting Cabernet Franc vineyards - The Howell Family Vineyard. In the tradition of the finest barrel aged Loire Cabernet Francs where Sam worked for 6 years, this fresh, elegant and perfumed red will reward patient wine lovers for 8-9 years from the vintage. Blueberries, raspberries, Damson plums, dried thyme and background cedar notes from oak ageing.

Winery's notes...

A stylish Hawke's Bay blend that has chartered our way, a wine with a strong character and a strong following. Blended from the best blocks from our estate, we use a variety of clones, each block fermented then matured in oak barrels as stand alone parcels. After 12 months initial maturation, each barrel was tasted and scored with only the best making the cut for The Navigator. Softly concentrated with deep and dense aromas of plush red fruits, cocoa, spice and cedar, the palate is medium-full bodied with rich and succulent flavours. 

The long finish and fine tannins make this an ideal accompaniment for your beef dishes, richly flavoured foods and cheeses. 

Merlot 34%, Cabernet Sauvignon 31%, Cabernet Franc 19%, Malbec 16%

This distinguished Cabernet Merlot is made from ultra-premium grapes (73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc) grown on low-yielding vines in the Mere Road Vineyard, situated in the celebrated stony soils of the Gimblett Gravels district in Hawkes Bay. Medium to full bodied, it bursts with notes of black fruits, plum, chocolate, and liquorice intertwined with beautifully refined tannins, yielding a distinguished silky smooth wine.

Fiano's established home is Campania in Southwest Italy, where great examples
are revered for style somewhere between a stunning Chardonnay and a dry
Riesling. Compared to other grapes, it is low-yielding and thus often overlooked by
commercial wineries. However it is well worth the work, showing delicate floral and
spice aromas that mellow and honey over time, giving way to great texture and impressive acidity.

This noble variety seems to have found its home at the stunning Howell Family vineyard, off Maraekakaho Road in Bridge Pa – one of a handful of Fiano plantings in New Zealand.
White floral, stonefruit, lemon zest and hint of brioche on the nose. On the palate these flavours merge with a touch of marmalade and cedar. A rich, textured, ripe wine with a zesty fresh finish. 900 bottle made.

Patsy was the favourite aunt of winemaker Jenny Dobson, who made this wine as a tribute to her. We're big fans of the story as well as the wine, which is made from the  Cabernet Franc grape, which adds a touch of firm tannin to its finish, accentuating the dry style and adding grip and structure. 

This tasty little numberh drinks well on its own but also tastes great with salmon and fresh summer salads. Chill lightly and enjoy. 

This is a juicy, medium-bodied Syrah. French oak imparts gentle vanilla and spice characteristics. On the nose, floral and dark fruit notes are balanced with a peppery touch. The palate is smooth and fruity, with balanced tannins and a lingering finish.