The icon wine from the Bridge Pa, Hawke’s Bay, label Paritua is aimed at making a wine that can sit alongside the best of New Zealand’s ‘Bordeaux Blend’ reds. Only released in the very best of vintages, it is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles. 2013 was a legendary vintage for reds.
A dark garnet red in the glass. The bouquet shows blackcurrant, cherry, elderberry, plum, bramble, clove, cocoa, autumn leaves, cigar box, thyme and petrichor notes. A touch of finer floral perfume also lingers – flowering herbs and violet. Still youthful and tense, needing time to unwind once poured – I would advise decanting it – but unwind it does! Structure eases to complexity, resonance and a myriad layers of flavour. An earthy minerality is exposed and those savoury notes that were hinted at on the nose, seek you out. Fine tannins, grainy oak and plush acidity merge, and before you know it, the silky finish is upon you. 96pts
