Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2022

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot is a decadent, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend from Hawke's Bay's renowned Gimblett Gravels, packed with ripe blackcurrant, juicy blackberry and dark plum, alongside inviting notes of mocha, cedar and warm spice. The palate is generous and beautifully structured, with layers of cassis, dark chocolate and savoury oak adding depth and complexity. Velvety tannins and well-integrated acidity bring lovely balance, leading to a long, smooth finish with a gentle touch of spice. Made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, this is a satisfying, generously flavoured red with plenty of character and ageing potential. A fantastic match for grilled steak, slow-cooked beef, roast lamb or smoky Moroccan-inspired dishes.

What the winery says:

Grapes were sourced exclusively from low-yielding vines in Hawke's Bay's prestigious Gimblett Gravels region. The 2022 growing season enjoyed consistently warm days and cool nights, allowing the fruit to develop excellent ripeness and concentration. Separate parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot underwent a three-day cold soak before fermentation in open-top stainless steel tanks, with regular cap management to extract colour, flavour and fine tannins. The wine was then matured for 18 months in French oak hogsheads, including 30% new oak, before careful barrel selection and blending. The resulting wine offers concentrated dark fruit, spicy cedar and mocha notes, supported by a velvety texture and excellent length.