“The 2006 Hawke’s Bay Merlot from Oyster Bay New Zealand exhibits the fresh fruit flavours of New Zealand’s new home of merlot. The temperate maritime climate of the bay helps in the creation of an intense, ripe fruit flavour, with spice and soft tannins on the palate. The maturation of a large proportion of the blend in French oaks for 6 months has also contributed a spicy complexity and toasty, smoky characters to the wine.”