From the Supernatural Wine co. this Hawke’s Bay red is made by ‘rising star’ Hayden Penny from the stellar, if spooky, 2019 vintage. A vibrant, brooding crimson in the glass, with cassis, hibiscus and violet notes on the nose. A bright crunch of ripe cranberry, cherry and redcurrant, with savoury undertones of tapenade and bell pepper.
Some quartzy-mineral tang in the mid palate. A complex wine, with plenty to discover as the wine blooms with a couple of hours of air – revealing branches of flavours – new leather, mossy bark, liquorice and allspice. The violet florals return in the long, textural finish.
Sealed under crown seal. As good a ‘natural wine’ as I’ve had this year, and a brilliant new conversation about a varietal that’s really starting to turn heads in Hawke’s Bay. 93pts. Not just smashable, but delectable.
