Ripe black plum flavours with hints of chocolate and licorice along with fine, soft tannins and a touch of oak. A classic Merlot-based Hawkes Bay red from a very warm vintage that will reward cellaring for a decade or more.

The 2016 Merlot/Franc is another great value red from another warm vintage.

Bob Campbell rated it his best buy in the middle of 2018, and even better than that, he suggested it was punching well above its weight and worth significantly more than our $20 website price. Michael Cooper also gave it a 4-star thumbs up. Perfect drinking coming into cooler weather.