Wines of Mission Estate, Hawke’s Bay

(2020) Roses and floral and herbal notes, an expressive Gewurz, the palate has fat and weight, an oily texture and a lovely pithy lemon and grapefruit fruit and acidity. No UK retail stockists at time of review.

(2020) The 14.5% alcohol surprises, but what a lovely wine made from 40-year-old vines. Buttery lanolin quality, lime and orange rind and waxiness, some Brazil nut leesiness. The palate bursts with sweeet fruit, nectarine juice and then the acidity, and then that little bit of phenolic grip adds a serious note to the finish. No UK retail listing at time of review.

(2020) Buttery vanilla and crushed almond and oatmeal, a sweet and ripe orchard fruitiness, a little note of flint. Beautifully pure, very sweet fruit, quite plump and succulent, generous, long finish. No UK retail listing at time of review.

(2020) Pale Provençal pink and selling briskly at the cellar door, a blend of Merlot from the Gimblett Gravels with 20% Cabernet Franc. It is made from the first press juice only, all fermented in barrel. Very lightly nutty and creamy, a soft red fruit and herb character with a llittle pillow of creaminess. Nice balance, very approachable. No UK retail stockists at time of review.

(2020) Paul says the Taransud barrels bring out the aromatics in this wine.  Quite a resinous, balsamic quality from the oak at first, lots of vanilla and also game and bloody notes. On the palate quite plummy but with a cherry freshness, taut, quite dominant tannins but good balance and length.

(2020) A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot,  7% Cabernet Franc. With 10 years under its belt there is still a definite Cabernet leafiness to this, currant leaf, cedar and graphite, a note of bloodiness. The fruit is plummy and ripe, blackcurrant, with polished tannins and ripe juicy acidity into a lovely, long and harmonious finish. No UK retail listing at time of review.