“Puriri Hills Reserve wines rank among our most delicious and ageworthy reds” – 2015 Michael Cooper on Puriri Hills

Accolades:
5 stars – Michael Cooper
98/100 – Gourmet Traveller Wine
97/100 – Bob Campbell MW
95/100 – Decanter, Rebecca Gibb MW
Among top 1% of all wines in the world – Vivino Aggregator

“Puriri Hills is truly different from other New Zealand producers. A Bordeaux blend specialist, it releases its wines five to eight years after the vintage, ensuring that the newly launched wines are ready to drink upon release. Flagship wine, Pope, is a blend of 54% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 17% Carmenere. It’s a ripe-fruited, dense expression from a dry and warm vintage, starting to show its middle age through its softening mid-palate and savoury development. There’s lots of fruit-filled concentration, with cocoa powder-like tannins that coat the mouth. Flavours of tobacco, black fruit and pencil lead linger on the long finish. Drinking Window 2018 – 2025.” – Rebecca Gibb MW, 2018

“A merlot-dominant blend with cabernet franc, carmenere and malbec. This flagship label was last tasted four years ago. It’s a dense, rich and still quite youthful red, with primary fruit flavours of dark berry, floral and spice tempered with an appealing savoury richness from bottle age. A backbone of fine tannins promises to allow further development. Remarkable wine that could be mistaken for a Right Bank Bordeaux.” – Bob Campbell MW, August 2018

Tasting Note: The flagship wine from Judy Fowler’s world-class operation in Clevedon. Made in tiny quantities and only in exceptional years. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere and Malbec. Outstandingly lush and complex, with ripe, supple tannins and very deep plum, spice, herb and slight liquorice flavours.

Alcohol Volume: 14.2%

Variety: Merlot Blend

Region: Clevedon, Auckland New Zealand