Puriri Hills Estate 2019 Clevedon 750ml

A generous nose of plum, spice and dried herbs leads into a very round palate, with mellow, integrating tannins. Great drinking now with a decant, but will evolve well over five years. A fine right-bank Bordeaux equivalent for a fantastic price.

“A blend of merlot, carmenere, malbec, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Rich, textural red with cassis, raspberry, blackberry, cedar, dried herb/hedgerow and nutty oak flavours. Accessible now but with the potential to develop well with bottle age. Seductive wine that gives a nod in the direction of Bordeaux.” – 95/100 Bob Campbell MW

“Subtle aromas of oyster shell, currants, and plums. Medium body, very fine tannins with a savory and fresh finish. Complex and beautiful. Youthful. Lovely now but better in two or three years. A blend of Merlot, Carmenere, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.” – 94/100 James Suckling

“Estate-grown at Clevedon, in South Auckland, this is a classy, complex, Merlot-based red. The impressive 2019 vintage is a blend of Merlot (68 per cent), Carménère (12 per cent), Malbec (8 per cent), Cabernet Franc (6 per cent) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6 per cent), matured in French oak casks (60 per cent new). Full-coloured, it is a fragrant, full-bodied red, with concentrated, well-ripened berry, plum, blackcurrant and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, refined tannins, and a silky-textured, lingering finish. Best drinking 2025+.” – 5 stars Michael Cooper