Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot

2020, Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Reserve label Hawke's Bay blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
92/100 (Bob Campbell MW) - "Dense, almost inky red with cassis, mint, black olive and white pepper. Obviously the product of a top vintage, showing perfect ripeness while retaining energy. Good value at this price"
Aged for 15 months in high quality oak
Drink now or cellar for 5-6 years

Charles Mills – sea captain, gold miner and former Member of Parliament and Minister of Trade & Custom 1890-1908. He’s a bit of a legend in the family tree of the name behind this iconic Hawke’s Bay producer, so you can see why they ended up naming their wines after him. As for the reef bit, nothing to do with anything he smoked but everything to do with how he spent his days – watching for reefs at sea and mining for reefs of gold.

Although their vineyards are mostly based in Hawke’s Bay their vineyard is actually just out out of Tauranga – and it’s flash as! Twenty aces of landscaped grounds, wine making and bottling facilities, an underground cellar, 150-seat restuarant and conference centre – and quite the spot to get hitched at!

Using classic Bordeaux varieties Cabernet, Merlot and a splash of Cabernet Franc from their prized Gimblett Gravels vineyards and aged in high quality oak for 15 months before release. This is a rich, darkly fruited Hawke’s Bay red (think plums, blackcurrant and cassis!) with a touch of spice and a silky smooth texture.

If you’re a lover of the “Bordeaux” style red this is an absolute must try and with good cellaring potential there’s plenty of reason to grab a case and drink ’em over the next 5-6 years.