Zaria Merlot Cabernet Franc 2021

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit writes "This is elegantly perfumed, showing Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, olive and toasted almond characters with a lovely floral overtone. The succulent palate offers beautifully rounded mouthfeel backed by silky texture and elegant tannins, finishing persistent and refined."

Cameron Douglas MS writes "Aromas of black plums and fresh blackberry flesh, layers of wood spices and a touch of smoke. Youthful and complex with plenty of power and intensity, varietal signatures of red fleshed stone fruits and berries, a distinctive line of oak and iron mineral qualities. The core fruit flavours are in abundance on the palate with sweet doris plums and black berry then flavours of dark oak spies, a savoury dried herb quality. Lengthy finish with sweet spices and fruit to match. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029."

The winery writes "Lifted violets, damson plum and cocoa saturate the nose along with myriad spices including cinnamon, cardamon and coriander seeds. Very generous aromatically rewarding repeated engagement. The palate is rich and full, with presence of flavour throughout. Black Doris plums and dark cherries are in abundance as well as dark chocolate and iron mineral qualities. This wine is a delicious example of what the Hawke’s Bays Bridge Pa Triangle can offer in excellent vintages. We believe this wine will age gracefully through to 2030 and beyond if cellared carefully."