Bostock Vicki's Vineyard Merlot 2019

Bostock Vicki's Vineyard Merlot 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.

What the winery says:

Ripe 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.

What the experts say:

Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, 95/100 (2019 Vintage)
"A bright, high energy, fruit-focused and sophisticated wine with ripe plum, black berry, new leather, cedarwood and spicy oak flavours."