Hawkes Bay reds generally have ripe, generous fruit and firm but not too grippy tannins. While some flagship brands ask stellar prices, others are good value. Those in this tasting are Bordeaux blends consisting of various combinations of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec, which grow in the famous French region.
Abbey Hawkes Bay Rapture 2009, $20.
Mostly merlot, this is spicy with generous fruit, savoury, malty undertones, spicy oak, a silky texture and supple tannins. Drinking nicely now.
Three and a half stars
Te Awa Left Field Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2009, $27
Three and a half stars
A delicious young wine with lush, juicy blackberry fruit, cedary oak, hints of roasted coffee, chocolate and spice, and a firm tannic backbone. Should develop with bottle age.
Abbey Hawkes Bay Cardinal 2009, $25
Three and a hlaf stars
Mostly cabernet sauvignon, this hints of dark berries and port-soaked fruitcake melded with a suggestion of mineral, spicy oak and a firm finish.
Waimea Nelson Trev's Red 2010, $25
Three stars
A light red with simple but juicy fruit, a suggestion of redcurrants and herbs, savoury undertones and a peppery edge. It is mostly cabernet franc and syrah with a little malbec.
Alpha Domus AD Hawkes Bay The Aviator 2009, $56
Three and a half stars
Fragrant with spicy complexity, hints of blackberries, figs, prunes and other dried fruit, suggestions of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and malt, all supported by underlying cedary oak and a long, firm finish. A harmonious blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and cabernet franc.
Matariki Gimblett Gravels Quintology 2007, $80
Three and a half stars
A fine, velvety-textured wine with generous red fruits supported by spicy oak, hints of black pepper, dark chocolate and a long, well-balanced finish tied together with a firm tannin. A big but harmonious wine that will develop with bottle age.
ANOTHER GLASS
Te Awa Hawkes Bay Cabernet Merlot 2009
$36
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Slightly porty aromas and juicy fruit hinting of dark plums are backed by dusty, spicy oak and a firm finish. Will develop with bottle age.
Abbey Hawkes Bay Prophet 2009
$ 20
Three stars
Average value
One of Abbey Cellars' many reds, this blend of cabernet sauvignon with cabernet franc, malbec and merlot, oozes dark, spicy boysenberries with lots of spicy oak and suggestions of licorice and finishes with supple tannins.
Abbey Hawkes Bay Bishop 2009
$25
Three stars
Below average value
Mostly merlot, this is soft with sweet fruit, spicy oak, a dark, savoury undertone, and a firm finish.
Abbey Hawkes Bay Testament 2009
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
A barrel selection of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec, this is a dense wine, concentrated and dark with suggestions of blackcurrant, mineral and licorice, with a firm, dry finish.
• Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
