‘Velvet’ is Mudbrick Estate on Waiheke Island’s top tier red wine. For this vintage, it has renamed ‘Robyn’s Velvet’ in honour of Robyn Skelton, the co-founder of Mudbrick, who died in June 2024. Crafted from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 12.5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. The perfume shows complexity, pulling from each varietal’s strengths. Blackcurrant, elderberry, plum, cherry, provencal herbs, cacao and violet florals. Toasty oak and fine, plump tannins provide structure, with the breezy acidity enhancing the fruit. Sleek and glossy, there is just a murmur of savoury earthiness, with notes of tapenade and loam around the edges. The finish is voluptuous and has great carry. Drinking well now, but should cellar for a decade. 94pts
Mudbrick Robyn’s Velvet 2024
