Grape Variety: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Growing Region: Waiheke Island, Auckland

Owner/ Chief Winemaker: Steve White

TASTING NOTE:
No one has turned the lights off - this wine is very deeply coloured. This wine has an expressive bouquet of intense fruit explosions from the five Bordeaux varieties that make up this wine. Intensely perfumed, showing notes of cassis, dark plum and dark berries, freshly ground cloves, earthy notes, with a thread of sweet after-eights chocolate mint, cedar and soft fine spices fill the nose.

The palate has a big, ripe, mouth-filling character, due to its maturation in 70% new French oak, engulfed by the huge ripe fruit. Richly flavoured and beautifully complex, with immaculate fine tannins and a confident structure - all give this wine its world class credentials. This wine is greatly concentrated with a finish that lasts and lasts, don't plan on going to bed early after opening this wine.

As it has been said - many make the mistake and look for an occasion to open and enjoy a wine like this, the opening of this wine is the occasion. Though please note - if you are forced at gun-point to open this wine in the next few years, decant for at least 45mins, and serve in a large Riedel glass at 18C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
I would start to think about drinking this wine in about 5-7yrs, it can age until 2020.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with wild game, prime cuts of rich red meats, wine jus and excellent company, enjoy.

95 points - Robert Parker Jnr. (Advocate Sept 2009).