Fruit from a number of sites in the Southern Valleys, including the Omaka and Waihopi areas, ven a cold soak and fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in new and seasoned French oak as well as tank. Moderately deep, dark ruby-red colour, lighter on edge. The soft and full bouquet has savoury red cherry and berry aromas along with notes of dark florals, herbs, game meat and charry-oak and reductive elements. Medium bodied, light berry and cherry fruit flavours are complexed by toast oak and charry reduction. Supporting the fruit are light, supple tannins and bright acidity, providing a youthful, textured palate with vitality. The flavours are upfront, but lighten on the finish. This is a youthful Pinot Noir with charry reductive characters and a palate that needs another few months to settle and harmonise. Match with pizza and barbecued foods over the next 4-5 years. 16.5/20 Jun 2012 RRP $26.50

Very full, deep, near impenetrable black-rub colour. The nose is a little reserved at present, an amalgam of black fruits, dark herbs rad red florals and some lifted oak notes. Medium-full bodied, dark berry fruit, dark plums and red currants feature with some lusciousness. The fruit is framed by considerable tannin grip, and along with some alcoholic warmth, this has linear drive through the palate. Showing density, the mouthfeel is tight and firm, and the wine finishes with some bitter black fruit and chocolate flavours with moderate length. This is a seriously structured and robust Merlot with dark fruit flavours. Serve with roasted and barbecued red meats and firm cheeses over the next 4-6 years. Fruit from the Wairau Plains, fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged for 10 months in new and seasoned American oak casks. 16.5+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $21.50