Jamie Goode, a U.K.-based wine journalist, book author and prolific blogger brings his choice of the best of New Zealand wines each week to The New Zealand Week.
wineanorak.com

This week:
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2006 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay (14% alcohol).
- Like many wine writers, I put Merlot quite low down the list of my favourite grape varieties, but here’s a really good one. It shows a fresh plum and blackberry fruit nose that’s quite sweet with a gravelly, tarry edge. The palate shows sweet, fresh dark fruits with a savoury, spicy, tarry edge and a hint of vanilla. Lovely vibrant flavours here, with a savoury finish.
Score: 91/100
Drink: Drink: now and over the next three years.