A Wine Anorak note that I thought might interest you claret lovers

The first bottle of this we had was unclean and slightly muted. The second was singing. Amazing complexity here with sweet blackberry and plum fruit offset by tar and spice notes. The palate is smooth and ripe, but has a lovely gravelly edge. Good focus and precision - a special wine that's in the same vein as top Bordeaux. 94/100 05/09

Thanks for this Goose.

How expensive is this ?

I spy'd the CR Merlot in Waitrose on Tuesday. Waitrose's short note said NZ 'Saint Emillion' complexity.

Craggy Range employ a rather skilled wine maker by all recent accounts. Unclean as in earthy and slightly muddy - the 1st bottle was too much tterb development - they dont say ? But muted is a term, that is appro, for resultant chomping brett, it can gobble the silkyness and body out, so that the deeper flavour is not carried forward.

If they are really clever/skilled/lucky, they will master this unclean element

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Duncan

Cheapest i've seen is £19.99 at the NZ House of Wine and that's the 07.

Jaime didn't state how much or where he tasted it.

Sophia, Te Kahu and Hawkes Merlot have many disciples.

'04, '07, '09 are the vintages to seek.

The HB Merlot is said to demonstrate the strength of the Hawkes Bay '07 vintage for Merlot and blends

Cellar tracker independant opinion, National Vintage charateristics and reports, and Bob Campbell all agree about the high quality of the 2007 vintage. The few dissenting voices, are thought to be down to duff bottles / bottle variance. Other wine writers are crowing about '07 and '04 Sophia

Goose, your £19.99 advice is the best price for the Sophia.

I will see what is available at Waitrose this week-end. I think I may try the ordinary Gimblett Gravels HB merlot first. Just to guage what the rave is all about. BC particularly liked the '07 and it is on offer.

The Sophia, vintage 2010 would suit my recent addition to the family

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Duncan