This is a really smart Bordeaux-style red from the Paritua team. Full bodied with a dense core of fruit through the mid palate, it has firm structure with some cedary, spicey notes on the finish. Merlot is predominant with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blended in. The wine was for 18 months in french oak barrels, 40% of which were new.

Paritua, in Hawkes Bay, has recently become fully certified organic, making it this country's largest single organic conversion in one go. That's no mean feat. The vineyards were planted in 2003 on the gravelly soils of what was the Ngaruroro River. They grow classic Hawkes Bay varieties - Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot - and their forward and flavoursome expressions represent excellent value.