Giesen Estate Merlot

Giesen Estate Merlot is a smooth, generous New Zealand red built around perfumed plum, warming spice and soft mocha. The 2025 release draws on Hawke's Bay Merlot, with ripe fruit, supple structure and a friendly finish that keeps it firmly in the easy-drinking camp. Giesen's story began with three German brothers planting in New Zealand in 1981, and this Estate bottling sticks to the house's accessible, fruit-focused style. Pour it with slow-cooked beef, mushrooms or a midweek roast when you want plenty of flavour without any hard edges.

What the winery says:

The 2025 fruit was sourced from Hawke's Bay following a warm, dry 2024/25 growing season that encouraged flavour and richness. After selective harvesting, the grapes were taken directly to the winery and transferred to red fermentation tanks. A short cold soak helped build colour and mouthfeel before a warmer fermentation developed flavour and structure. The wine was then pressed and matured for six months in French oak, bringing subtle mocha and spice to the ripe plum fruit and supple finish. The finished wine is 13% alcohol, with the winery suggesting slow-cooked beef brisket, shiitake mushrooms and Asian greens alongside.