The 2009 Woodthorpe Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet is a blend of 47% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. It has a little sulphur on the nose at the moment although there obviously seems to be very good fruit concentration, developing a slight seashell quality with aeration. The tannins are presently a little tough on the entry, but well balanced on the palate with good fruit concentration, firm backbone here with an almost Graves-like finish. It shows great potential. John Buck OBE and his son Nicholas continue their hone their craft at one of New Zealand’s most respected wineries and winemaker Peter Cowley has fashioned a clutch of stunning wines in both 2008 and 2009. Both tank samples of their flagship Coleraine and Awatea 2009 are bona fide classics in the making, whilst their entry Woodthorpe range of wines offer a costcutting introduction to the delights of Hawkes Bay varietals without cutting quality.

This 2008 Woodthorpe Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet has an attractive cedar nose with dark berry fruits, savory, gamey with good definition. The palate is a little austere on the entry with noticeable tobacco leaf notes, but then broadens out to some lush, black cherry, bilberry and allspice notes and another dash of white pepper on the finish. Drink 2012-2017. John Buck OBE and his son Nicholas continue their hone their craft at one of New Zealand’s most respected wineries and winemaker Peter Cowley has fashioned a clutch of stunning wines in both 2008 and 2009. Both tank samples of their flagship Coleraine and Awatea 2009 are bona fide classics in the making, whilst their entry Woodthorpe range of wines offer a costcutting introduction to the delights of Hawkes Bay varietals without cutting quality.

The 2007 Woodthorpe Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet had improved since tasted last year. A blend of 44% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot it has good intensity on the nose with black fruits, tobacco, a touch of Xmas cake and decayed leaves. The palate is medium-bodied, fine supple tannins, blackberry, raspberry and a real savory quality coming through on the off-dry finish courtesy of the Cabernet Franc. Off-dry towards the finish, this is an impressive wine. John and Nick Buck were in fine form when I visited their estate in Hawkes Bay along with winemaker Peter Cowley and their portfolio offers something for the commercial end of the market, right up to one of New Zealand’s genuine icons.Importer: American Estates Wines, Summit, NJ; tel. (908) 273-5060; fax (908) 273-5068