Wines from Hawke's Bay

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Mills Reef 2000 Elspeth One Red (Hawke's Bay)

Cellar Selection

Price $35

This is a rich, sumptuous red wine. It looks, smells and tastes opulent. Ripe, forward berry flavors, wrapped in considerable oak, taste full and long, and the wine flatters with thick, velvety but fine tannins. The finish is a wonder, long and intricate. The aftertaste lasts for a full minute. It’s wonderful now, but should age effortlessly for many years. A blend… — S.H. (11/15/2002)

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Mills Reef 2000 Mere Road Elspeth Merlot (Hawke's Bay)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

Here you have a massively constituted wine joined to well-charred oak that results in an enormously rich, satisfying and, more importantly, balanced sip. The fruit and berry flavors are hugely extracted, the tannins gentle but complex, the acidity near perfect. It all adds up to a young bruiser. If you must drink it now, have with rich foods like well-marbled beef… — S.H. (11/15/2002)

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Te Mata 2007 Coleraine Red (Hawke's Bay)

Cellar Selection

Simply put, this is one of New Zealand’s flagship reds, and it is a shame it is no longer being imported to the U.S. Lifted hints of dried flowers and herbs impart great complexity to the aromas, and the wine’s cassis, cedar and chocolate flavors come across as intense without being overbearing. This is firmly structured, with plentiful but fine tannins. Drink… — J.C. (6/1/2010)

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Craggy Range 2009 Le Sol Syrah (Hawke's Bay)

Price $90

Full bodied, creamy in texture and long on the finish, the 2009 Le Sol is the complete package. Blackberry fruit is accented by cracked pepper and vanilla, but closer examination reveals hints of black olive and coffee as well. The tannins are exquisitely silky on the finish, where the fruit comes to the fore. Drink now–2020. — J.C. (8/1/2012)

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Sacred Hill 2009 Deerstalkers Syrah (Hawke's Bay)

Full bodied and richly textured, this starts off with jammy mixed-berry aromas framed by cedar, vanilla and a touch of pepper, but the palate shows even more complexity and savory characters, hinting at meat, olive and clove. Long and velvety on the finish, the 2009 Deerstalkers is a compelling example of Hawke’s Bay Syrah — J.C. (8/1/2012)

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Clearview 2007 Reserve Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $56

Simply put, this is an outstanding example of New World Chardonnay, marrying bold tropical fruit aromas and flavors with Burgundian production techniques. Guava and mango notes are lush an dappealing, framed by just enough structure and hints of dried spices and toasty oak for complexity and balance. Long and crisp on the finish. Now-2013. — J.C. (11/1/2008)

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Sacred Hill 1997 Rifleman's Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)

Price $33

A small bird, not Chuck Connors, gives this wine its name. A huge, intensely toasted Chardonnay with lemon, green-apple, butterscotch and custard aromas and flavors. Rich, oaky and weighty, it has very good structure and balance, and should age nicely over a few more years. — W.E. (9/1/2000)

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Sacred Hill 1998 Broken Stone Merlot (Hawke's Bay)

Price $40

This 100% Merlot is packed with black cherries, lusciously ripe and silky in the mouth. Black-tea notes on the finish hint at the complexities to be gained with bottle age. Try after 2003. — J.C. (5/1/2001)

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Merlot Pinot Grigio/Gris Pinot Noir Red Blend Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz/Syrah

Most Reviewed Wineries

Alpha Domus Clearview Craggy Range Kemblefield Matariki Matua Valley Mills Reef Sacred Hill Te Awa Te Awa Farm Trinity Hill Villa Maria

2008 PerryMoore Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

This is a lush, heady wine that’s full bodied and dry, with massive…

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