The trademarks of Hawke’s Bay are well and truly on show. Overt black pepper, a shot of graphite, plenty of black cherried fruit and assertive, spicy tannin. It’s dry, it’s peppery, it lays out the ground rules and then milks the moment. It’s not stellar – the tannin may be a little out of whack – but it strikes a confident pose.

The trademarks of Hawke’s Bay are well and truly on show. Overt black pepper, a shot of graphite, plenty of black cherried fruit and assertive, spicy tannin. It’s dry, it’s peppery, it lays out the ground rules and then milks the moment. It’s not stellar – the tannin may be a little out of whack – but it strikes a confident pose.

A concentrated and youthful bouquet with aromas of black berry, Doris plum, liquorice, violets, toasty oak, a steely note of youth and dark spices including clove, vanilla and black olive, a peppery note completes the bouquet. On the palate – concentrated , oaky, fruity and spicy with black fruits and plum, black cherry and clove, toasty wood tones; plenty of tannins with a specific chalky texture, back bone of acidity and long finish. What’s not to like? Drink now if decanted though best from 2019 through 2029.

A concentrated and youthful bouquet with aromas of black berry, Doris plum, liquorice, violets, toasty oak, a steely note of youth and dark spices including clove, vanilla and black olive, a peppery note completes the bouquet. On the palate – concentrated , oaky, fruity and spicy with black fruits and plum, black cherry and clove, toasty wood tones; plenty of tannins with a specific chalky texture, back bone of acidity and long finish. What’s not to like? Drink now if decanted though best from 2019 through 2029.