A wine from Esk Valley in Hawke’s Bay – it was one of the first wines I tasted that really impressed me when I moved to NZ in 2003 – one from the cellar. Sealed under cork, a dense, inky red colour in the glass, with a little browning to the rim, showing its 25-year old age. Effusively aromatic, with the plush plum and blackberry fruits still lively, and some elegant secondary characters like leather, liquorice and mushroom quite evident. Medium-bodied and juicy, but there is a spine that combines toasty oak and acidity and tannin in equal parts – well-integrated and seamless now. A fine bottle of Merlot – with good varietal typicity – including the smooth texture that is easily taken for simplicity, but, in the right examples is just elegant and delicious. Time to drink these up now, but they aren’t disappointing. 92pts
Linden Estate Merlot 2000
