Upon release it is deep ruby in colour. The nose is brimming with vibrant red fruit including plum, raspberry and cherry. There are also hints of spice, vanilla and chocolate, with some underlying savoury notes. The wine is mouth-filling, yet balanced with plush velvety tannins, refreshing acidity and a prolonged finish.

The colour: Deep red robe with hints of violet. The nose: Intense with notes of black fruit, violets and spices. The palate: Generous with good, mellow tannins followed by a lovely, spicy finish.

Dreadnought Syrah is very classical in style, lifted red fruits with a dark edge of graphite and pepper along with savoury stem derived characters make for an intense and interesting aroma profile. The palate is very linear but vibrant carrying good weight and concentration but also a lively streak from the stem inclusion that makes the finish seem fresh and lithe.

Ironclad shows dark fruits; plums and berries, wildflowers, crushed rock, and iodine, all creating a complex and lifted aroma profile. The palate shows good density which is balanced with coastal freshness and finishes with a core of powerful tannins. A rare dominance of Merlot over Cabernet Franc gives the wine good early accessibility but clearly a wine suited to ageing.

A complex aromatic profile with smokey peaty characters with a herbaceous lift from the stem influence along with notes of blue and boysenberry and a nod towards cured meats. The oak is very lightly toasted providing an edge of a lift from the woody oak aromatics. The palate is fresh with a nice linearity from the acidity and the mix of skin, seed, stem and oak tannins.

You will fall prey to this wine from the first furtive glance. Crackling black fern and toasted nori rise from the glass, making way for seasoned split acacia, roasted beetroot and freshly uprooted truffle. Warm poached plum, tay berries and dark chocolate gateaux with coffee buttercream icing form a warm welcome as do notes of rich beef consume, sweet violets and a dash of tomato. Palate notes of oven baked wild oats, dark sticky prunes and sun-dried beef jerky. The tannins sit between rhubarb crumble and central plateau pumice. Following with a suggestion of marmite sourdough toast, soft roasted eggplant, rubbed oregano and warm caramel brulee.

The King's Wrath Pinot Noir reveals rich aromas of black doris plum, cassis, florals, and clove spices. The full-bodied palate features fine-grained tannins, complemented by crushed blackberry, dark chocolate, and savoury notes. The tannin structure carries the vibrant Marlborough fruit flavours to a long, intense finish. This wine pairs beautifully with game meats, mushrooms, rich fish, or hearty vegetable dishes.

Wonderful aromatics of dark cherries and dried herbs and spices instantly grab your attention on the nose of this elegant Pinot Noir. On the first sip, your palate is greeted with soft, rich fruit flavours with a hint of spice. The moreish tannins and a velvety texture make for an impressive finish.

A complex dark and brooding wine with aromas and flavours of black fruits, violets and wild thyme.

Brassknocker by McArthur Ridge is their Village level Pinot Noir, the name is inspired from the unique Brassknocker soils which the McArthur Ridge vineyard are planted in, sited on expansive ancient glacial moraine terraces in Alexandra, Central Otago. Beautiful floral notes, aromatic and complex, showing ripe cherry, oak spice, and mocha notes on the nose. The palate is succulent with rich red berry notes, violets, oregano herbal nuances and fine tannins. The wine is supported by fine acidity and finishes with a long and balanced persistency.

Ruby red in colour, this wine has a bouquet of savoury red berry fruit, black cherry and vanilla that combine with aromas of black forest berries, cloves and dark violets, finishing with soft stony notes. Dry on the palate with a core of fruit, savoury tannins give it a great texture. The oak influence is obvious with baking spices, brown sugar and smokiness. Expect this wine to improve further with careful cellaring over the next 7-10 years.

The Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits aromas of lifted dark red fruits, plum, and blueberry with layers of vanilla and spice. A well-structured, full palate with flavours of dark berries and cherries with well-integrated and balanced spiced oak, ensuring good length of flavour.