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New Zealand Merlot & Blends

New Zealand Merlot has had a low profile until recently, largely due to many ‘thin Merlots’ being produced internationally right across the 1990’s. However, plantings are on the increase, and we are starting to see some excellent examples come from the warmer regions of NZ. Hawkes Bay in particular is having great success with the grape, and will most commonly be used as a base for a Bordeaux blend incorporating other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec & Cabernet Franc.

New Zealand Merlot matches well with Lamb, other grilled meats and hard cheeses. The aromas will be complex and varied – look for Plums, jammy fruits, Christmas cake, Leather and toffee, sometimes with a hint of herbaceousness.

Merlot & Blends Products

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Wild Rock Gravel Pit Hawkes Bay Merlot Blend 2009
NZWINEONLINE STAFF PICK - A Bordeaux blend from the makers of Craggy Range. 79% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc. A great red for dinner parties, more approachable in it's youth but will develop for a further 5 years in the bottle. MASSIVE SAVINGS ON STRAIGHT CASE BUYS!
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Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2010
Made using fruit predominantly sourced from the Gimblett Gravels - this is a powerful, rich & mouthfilling Merlot. 12 months on oak to add cedar undertones and fine acidity make this a great food wine. Massive savings & free shipping when you purchase 12 bottles!
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Te Awa 'Left Field' Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2009
Wonderfully aromatic notes of old leather, black doris plums and sweet fertile earth. Background notes of sweet vanilla, chocolate and slightly burnt toast add to the effect. A lovely Merlot that has benefitted greatly from 18 months in French oak. SOLD OUT
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Man O' War Waiheke Island Merlot Cabernet 2009
Fresh berry fruits on the palate are held together with an excellent tannin structure courtesy of the Cabernet Sauvignon. A rich Bordeaux blend of 41.7% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Franc, 10.8% Malbec, 6.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Petit Verdot.
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Alpha Domus 'The Navigator' Hawkes Bay Merlot Blend 2007
Exclusive to NZWINEONLINE in Australia! Influences of sweet vanilla and toast result from oakbarrel maturation. On the palate, plum and blackberry are supported by clove and spicy notes with a rich earthiness. Game and leathery characters add complexity.
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Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawkes Bay Merlot Blend 2010
It is hard to imagine another Bordeaux blend of this quality at this price point. 2010 was a strong year for reds from Hawkes Bay - This one is a blend of 80% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec. Approachable in it's youth, but will develop beautifully over the medium term and hold in the bottle until 2018+.
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Trinity Hill 'The Gimblett' Hawkes Bay Merlot Blend 2008
Elegant, powerful and concentrated, the five traditional varieties of Bordeaux, further confirms the enormous potential of the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay to produce world class Bordeaux-style red wines. 96pts, Gourmet Traveller Wine Nov 2011
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Crossroads Kereru Rd Merlot Cabernet 2009
Winestate Magazine's Merlot of the year in 2011, beating 1500 others in this category. The nose offers dark aromas of black doris plum and cigar box ina generous and immediately appealing style. The fruit fills out into the palate with smooth texture and superb intensity before subtle notes of bramble and cranberry weave through the back palate. Elegant, rounded tannins with a gentle cedary tone complete the long finish.
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Ata Rangi Celebre Martinborough 2008
Ever since the very first vintage in 1986, Célèbre has had character. It’s a distinctive ‘house blend’ and it enjoys an extraordinarily loyal following by those in the know. Célèbre has evolved over the years from a somewhat austere, Cabernet dominant wine to the more fragrant, supple and luscious wine it is today. THIS PARTICULAR WINE IS AVAILABLE BY THE CASE ONLY.
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Te Mata Estate Awatea Hawkes Bay 2008
The smaller (and somewhat more affordable) brother of 'Coleraine', this is another outstanding Bordeaux blend from Te Mata. 38% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc & 5% Petit Verdot. 92/100 from Gourmet Traveller and immediately approachable with great cellaring potential.
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Man O' War 'Ironclad' Waiheke Island Bordeaux Blend 2008
Merlot/CabFranc/Malbec/Petit Verdot/CabSav delivers a complex aroma profile of cassis and red summer berries, earthy undertones with a touch of floral fragrance, and leather. One of Our favourite Bordeaux blends out of New Zealand.
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Kidnapper Cliffs 'Ariki' Hawkes Bay Merlot Blend 2009
EXCLUSIVE TO NZWINEONLINE IN AUSTRALIA. The 2009 vintage is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark complex wine that has been blended to exhibit a thoughtful expression of site and year rather than varietal purity. It is brooding on the nose in an iodine/Islay whisky kind of way, there is even a hint of sherry aged maltiness or perhaps pipe tobacco. On the palate fruit notes of preserved plum and raspberry jam reflect the cépage (merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon). There is also a generosity suggestive of chocolate and brioche. LESS THAN 10 DOZEN BROUGHT IN TO AUSTRALIA.
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