{"title":"Hawke's Bay Merlot","description":"\u003cp\u003eHawke's Bay is New Zealand's warmest major wine region and has built its reputation on Bordeaux-style reds, with Merlot as the backbone of that success. The Gimblett Gravels, a stretch of free-draining, stony soil formed by an old riverbed, has become the region's most sought-after site for the variety, giving wines real structure alongside the plush, approachable fruit Merlot is known for elsewhere. Producers here often blend in small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc, echoing Bordeaux's own approach to the variety. If you'd rather compare against the region's other flagship red, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hawkes-bay-syrah\"\u003eHawke's Bay Syrah\u003c\/a\u003e is worth a look. For Merlot more broadly, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/merlot\"\u003eMerlot\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from every region we carry, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hawkes-bay-wine\"\u003eHawke's Bay Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers everything else on offer from the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"trinity-hill-hawkes-bay-merlot","title":"Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Merlot 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Hill Hawke's Bay Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rich, supple Merlot grown on the stony soils of the Gimblett Gravels. Black Doris plum, blackberry and blueberry meet violet, toasted nuts, chocolate and gentle oak spice, with a plump mouthfeel balanced by fine tannins and fresh acidity. Seven months in stainless steel and small French oak barrels adds complexity while keeping the ripe fruit firmly at the centre. Generous and immediately approachable, it is an excellent match for lamb, beef and other richly flavoured dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChocolate, plum, and blackberry aromas of Merlot have combined with the aromatic spice of oak aging to produce a fruit-dominant yet complex wine. Soft, ripe tannins make this wine serious yet eminently drinkable. Individual parcels were destemmed before fermentation, leaving a high proportion of whole berries, with gentle daily pumping over used to build a soft, complex structure. The wine was aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks and small French oak barrels before blending.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 93\/100 \u0026amp; 5 Stars (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Gorgeously ripe and inviting, the fragrant bouquet shows Black Doris plum, blueberry, rich floral, subtle spice, and toasted nut aromas. The palate displays excellent weight and plump mouthfeel, wonderfully framed by silky texture and finely infused tannins. Sturdy and supple at once with a sustained, satisfying finish.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 92\/100 (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"An excellent bouquet and palate with scents and flavours of violets and baked Doris plums, fresh boysenberry and fruit spices then a layer of wood smoke. Firm and dry on the palate with textures from tannins and plenty of acidity for length and to carry the fruit messages. Medium length and finish with best drinking from late 2025 through 2029+.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Hancocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182009246063,"sku":"100059","price":149.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/TrinityHillHawkesBayMerlot.jpg?v=1785110995"},{"product_id":"pask-gimblett-gravels-merlot","title":"Pask Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePask Gimblett Gravels Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e is a generous, polished Hawke's Bay red built around dark plum, blackberry and cherry, with violet, dried thyme and bay leaf adding aromatic lift and savoury detail. The palate is richly fruited but beautifully composed, framed by silky tannins and balanced acidity before cedar, mocha and cocoa emerge through the lingering finish. Fruit from two of Pask's stoniest, most free-draining vineyard blocks brings concentration, while wild fermentation and 15 months in French oak add depth without hiding the Merlot character. Enjoy it with roasted lamb rack, beef tenderloin or duck confit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was selected from Pask's roadside and McMerlot blocks in the Gimblett Gravels, prized for their stony, free-draining soils and ability to produce concentrated fruit. Following a three-day cold soak, two separate parcels underwent wild fermentation with regular hand plunging to extract colour and develop supple tannins. Each parcel was gently pressed into French oak barriques and matured for 15 months, with 20% new oak. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and contains 13.5% alcohol with less than 1 gram per litre of residual sugar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecanter World Wine Awards 2026, Gold Medal \u0026amp; 95\/100 (2021 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“A carpet of black cherry, sweet tobacco, perfumed florals and mint chocolate threads into the dusty tannins and leafy acidity.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 92\/100 \u0026amp; Premium (2021 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“A youthful wine with a core of dark plum skin and blackberry fruits.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hancocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182010196335,"sku":"100088","price":137.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/PaskGimblettGravelsMerlot.jpg?v=1785107574"},{"product_id":"giesen-0-merlot","title":"Giesen 0% Merlot","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGiesen 0% Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e proves you don't have to give up flavour to skip the alcohol. Giesen start with a proper, full-strength Hawke's Bay Merlot, then use gentle spinning-cone technology to lift out the alcohol while keeping hold of the aroma and body - recombining everything with a touch of grape juice to bring it back into balance. What's left is a lighter style red with crushed blackberry and ripe plum, a herbal edge and a whisper of toasted oak, finishing smooth on fine, powdery tannins. At just 18 calories per 100ml, it's an easy pour whether you're driving, training early, or simply keeping a clear head.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiesen 0% Merlot begins as a full-strength New Zealand red, crafted for depth and structure before the alcohol is gently removed using spinning cone technology, which separates the wine into aroma, alcohol and body. The aromatics are then recombined with the wine's body, along with a small amount of grape juice concentrate to restore balance and texture. The result keeps classic Merlot character - crushed blackberry, wild herbs, red berries and ripe plum, with subtle toasted oak and fine, powdery tannins. Recommended with herb-crumbed veal schnitzel and chips.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Federal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182013047151,"sku":"100172","price":95.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/Giesen0_Merlot.jpg?v=1784061252"},{"product_id":"bostock-vickis-vineyard-merlot","title":"Bostock Vicki's Vineyard Merlot 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBostock Vicki's Vineyard Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e is a refined, single-vineyard Hawke's Bay red created in memory of the late Vicki Bostock, whose commitment to organic growing inspired the family's approach to wine. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle, the 2019 vintage combines Merlot's natural generosity with freshness, polished structure and carefully integrated French oak. Rich and sophisticated without becoming overly heavy, it has developed beautifully with bottle age while retaining the concentration to evolve further. Pair it with roast lamb, beef, duck, mushroom dishes or mature cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRipe plum and dried herbs lead the nose, with a warm fruit core and subtle exotic spice through the finish. The grapes were hand harvested and cooled overnight before being destemmed into small stainless steel open-top fermenters. Following fermentation with twice-daily plunging, the wine remained on its skins for 22 days before pressing into French oak barriques, including 40% new oak. Natural malolactic fermentation took place in barrel, followed by 18 months of maturation and light filtration before bottling.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBob Campbell MW, The Real Review, 95\/100 (2019 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A bright, high energy, fruit-focused and sophisticated wine with ripe plum, black berry, new leather, cedarwood and spicy oak flavours.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blanc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182019567983,"sku":"100366","price":329.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/BostockVicki_sVineyardMerlot.jpg?v=1785196392"},{"product_id":"bohemian-the-author-merlot","title":"Bohemian The Author Merlot 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBohemian The Author Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMade by Julz Brogden of Collaboration Wines, this Hawke's Bay merlot shows vibrant, deep purple hues in the glass and a layered nose of plum and dark chocolate underscored by a savoury note of tree bark. The palate continues the story with plum, violets, leather and coffee grounds, dry and textural rather than jammy, with real vibrancy running through to the finish. It is built to be interesting glass after glass, the kind of wine that keeps revealing new layers the longer it sits open. Pair it with something rich, like braised beef or a good hard cheese. At 13% ABV, it is a thoughtful, characterful expression of Hawke's Bay merlot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat the winery says: The Author is Julz Brogden's Hawke's Bay merlot for the Bohemian Wines project, made with the same hands on, small batch approach she brings to her own Collaboration Wines portfolio. The wine is built around layers of dark fruit and savoury complexity rather than straightforward ripeness, giving a deep purple wine with plum and dark chocolate aromas, an earthy underscore and a textural palate of plum, violets, leather and coffee grounds. Dry and vibrant rather than heavy, it is designed to be sipped over an evening, changing in the glass as it opens up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182027825519,"sku":"100605","price":137.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/BohemianTheAuthorMerlot2022.jpg?v=1783922388"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/hawkes-bay-merlot.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}