A red wine – a fairly rare variety in New Zealand – perhaps best known with examples from Alto Adige in Northern Italy. This one is from Martinborough. A dark colour in the glass – an almost black, ruby red. The nose has an appealing ‘old world’ edge to it, with damson, bramble, cherry and blueberry fruits over savoury marmite, tapenade and graphite notes. Despite the depth of colour, it is mid-weighted into the palate where those red-black fruits are swaddled in a rich, dark spice layer. There are reference points of both Syrah and Pinot Noir here. The tannin is supple, with a little rasp, and a clean acidity reaches into a dry finish. 91pts
Groves Lagrein 2022
