OJBs Web Site: New Zealand Wine Styles

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Esk Valley Merlot 2002

Tasted:	19 Mar 2005 (age 3 years)
Name:	Esk Valley (115)
Variety:	Merlot (9)
Year:	2002
Producer:	Esk Valley
Region:	Hawkes Bay
Rating:	good
Web Site:	http://www.eskvalley.co.nz

This wine had a quite deep ruby red colour with heavy legs, and a lot of sediment. The bouquet showed strong vanilla smokey oak and plum berry fruit.. The taste had smooth plum fruit chocolate start, and a strong tannin oak finish. It was an intense style with strong tannic balance, and quite high alcohol (14.5%). It won a gold at the NZ wine awards in 2003.

Note 1 I am not really a wine expert (just an enthusiastic amateur), so please don't take my recommendations as anything more than a rough guide to these wines. I can take no responsibility if you buy a lot, on my recommendation, and then regret it!

Note 2 You may not agree with my evaluation of these wines as a lot of this is quite subjective. I tend to put a lot of emphasis on complexity and intense characteristic flavours and bouquet, so if you disagree you might just have different priorities.