A blend of ‘Bordeaux varieties’ from this illustrious vineyard and label on Waiheke Island’s Onetangi Valley. Dark and inky garnet red colours in the glass. A bold bouquet is filled with black cherry, damson, cassis, smoky incense, liquorice and tobacco. The palate has an interesting balance of width and weight, yet elegance and panache. If you look at the elements at play – fine-grained tannins, a zip of acidity and generous oak, it is not just one thing that sticks out, rather it shows a mastery of the blenders art. So too with the fruit flavours – as savoury and earthy as it is plush and juicy, with the varietal attributes complementing one another beautifully. A nod to France in overall style and finesse, but with a definite local stance. Finishes long, succulent and seamless. 96pts
Te Motu 2006
