Oyster Bay Merlot

Oyster Bay Merlot is an exceptionally smooth, elegant, and fruit-driven cool-climate red wine that beautifully showcases the vibrant viticultural style of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Sourced from vineyard sites in the warm, gravelly soils of the Gimblett Gravels and surrounding subregions, this wine undergoes careful temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel before a portion is aged in French oak barrels to impart structural complexity and a subtle touch of spice. In the glass, it displays a bright, deep ruby-red hue with youthful purple reflections along the rim. The nose is highly expressive and fragrant, unrolling a fragrant bouquet of ripe black plums, juicy dark cherries, and wild blackberries, seamlessly layered with subtle notes of sweet vanilla, dried herbs, and a faint hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, this medium-bodied red is remarkably plush, velvety, and approachable, driving a rich core of succulent dark fruit flavors over a frame of soft, fine-grained tannins and a balanced, refreshing line of natural acidity that leads into a clean, smooth, and fruit-forward finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs perfectly with grilled lamb chops, pan-seared duck breast, roasted pork tenderloin, wood-fired mushroom pizza, or mild cheeses like Gouda and Brie.