Oyster Bay Merlot, Hawkes Bay wine region

The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavours.

The Hawkes Bay wine region is arguably the most exciting find in recent times for the cultivation of merlot in New Zealand. Ancient alluvial river terraces provide for a superb mix of soils over gravelly, free-draining sub soils, with an abundance of pure river water for irrigation. With a temperate maritime climate, the vines are warmed by strong clear sunlight during the day and cooled at night by the sea breezes of the Pacific Ocean. This is the unique environment in which merlot produces its vibrant, fully ripened varietal flavours. Essentially Oyster Bay Merlot is about elegance and intensity of fruit. The hero is always freshness of ripe fruit, spice and soft tannins on the palate.

Click below for a vintage technical description:

Merlot 2007 metric / imperial
Merlot 2006 metric / imperial
Merlot 2006 metric / imperial (French)
Merlot 2005 metric / imperial
Merlot 2004 metric version
Merlot 2003 metric version
Merlot 2002 metric version

Featured Review. [ more reviews ] ‘The 2002 Oyster Bay offers generous red and black berry-like fruit with a hint of dark plum and a touch of briary undergrowth. Well integrated smoky and slightly spicy oak simply meld with the fruit expression and there is a final touch of vanillin to the well rounded finish. Soft, silky and simply very gluggable! Drink now to 2006. A delightful wine to match BBQ'd meats and protected from cork taint by screw-cap.’ Benjamin Moechtar, Executive Sommelier and Wine Writer Wildfire Restaurant, The Rocks, Sydney, Australia