A whole new world of flavor.

Oyster Bay Hawke’s Bay Merlot

Juicy, fresh black plum with a hint of vanilla, bright red currants and alluring spice.

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"Deliciously plump, ripe and almost juicy merlot with black currant, plum, black cherry and mocha/coffee flavours. Quite concentrated. Very tasty wine offering great value."
Bob Campbell, MW, New Zealand, March 2015
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013
"90 Points - Round, smooth, supple Merlot with enticing aromas and flavours of fleshy black plum and blackberry on the nose and palate. Medium- to almost full-bodied. This would be a great match for grilled pork chops."
Natalie MacLean, www.nataliemaclean.com, Canada, March 2015
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013
"89 Points - There’s plum and fruitcake and an intriguing savoury touch in this tasty Kiwi red which shows fine tannins and a good finish."
Mike Frost, The Courier Mail, Australia, October 2004
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2003
"90 Points - Gorgeously balanced merlot with attractive black plum notes. Smooth and full-bodied with a long finish. Great price. Try this with grilled pork chops. Food matches: rare roast beef."
Natalie MacLean, www.nataliemaclean.com, Canada, March 2013
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot
"This Merlot may be the pearl in the oyster. Black spice-laden plum, wisps of wood smoke and espresso roast aromas provide segue to an über smooth and mellow mouthful of dark, juicy berry fruit, plumy tones and sweet, ripe black cherry. It’s medium bodied with creamy texture and a balanced fruit-forward aftertaste. Versatile at the table, it pairs well with roast chicken, leg of lamb or roast pork."
Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, Canada, October 2011
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot
"Ruby red with a light violet hue, this well-balanced red has a subtle nose of earthiness, spice and black currant. Silky textured and wonderfully balanced, it delivers a wash of persistent vibrant flavour-racy pomegranate, red cherry and raspberry-adorned with hints of spice, soft fine-grained tannin and good moderating acidity. It finishes mid length with spice-infused black raspberry."
Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, Canada, September 2010
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot
"New Zealand does produce a few rich, even massive reds. Hawke’s Bay is a stoney hothouse and this merlot is brimming with full-bodied blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and cedar aromas and flavours."
Gord Stimmell, The Toronto Star, Canada, September 2010
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot
"Perfectly varietal aroma of olive, tea and red fruit. A well-balanced wine to drink soon.”"
Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, United States, March 2010
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot
"Crowd-pleasing Oyster Bay Merlot 2008 from New Zealand is medium-bodied and smooth, with pronounced berries, a hint of spice and juicy acidity."
Beppi Crosariol, Globe and Mail, Canada, May 2009
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2008
"This juicy, ripe blackcurrant-rich screw capped red from the Delegat brother and sister team offers a glimpse of the smooth, medium-bodied Bordeaux-style red that’s the hallmark of the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand."
Huon Hooke, The Melbourne Age, Australia, December 2007
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2006
"Take gravelly, free-draining sub-soils and a maritime climate (warm days, cool evenings) and you have the underpinning for an exciting red wine region. Plum, raisin and strawberry compote aromas lead the taster to this medium-bodied, silky smooth offering. The fruit (red currant and cherry) mingles beautifully with the fine-grained tannin and hardly perceptible tang on the finish. This is finely balanced with no rough edges."
www.winecurrent.com, Canada, December 2005
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2004
"This juicy, ripe blackcurrant-rich screw capped red from the Delegat brother and sister team offers a glimpse of the smooth, medium-bodied Bordeaux-style red that’s the hallmark of the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand."
Anthony Rose, The Independent Magazine, United Kingdom, December 2006
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2005
"A delicious New Zealand red with bold, forthright flavours and the added attraction of a screwcap."
Giles Kime, The Sunday Telegraph, United Kingdom, October 2004
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2003
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013, Sydney International Wine Competition, 2015
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013, Japan Wine Challenge, 2014
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013, China Wine Spirits Awards, 2014
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013, San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2015
90 Points
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2013, San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2015
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2014, TexSom International Wine Competition, 2015
Gold Medal
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot 2014, Japan Wine Challenge, 2016
Gold Medal
Gold Medal
Complimentary Flavours
Cold cut venison salad, mushroom and spinach quiche, grilled salmon, duck, lamb.
Merlot Food Matches
Oyster Bay Merlot is an approachable red wine and can be enjoyed year-round. While ideal as an aperitif, our New Zealand Merlot is also food-friendly, and a great match for a variety of flavours. Whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian, its flavours shine best with Italian-inspired dishes, especially rich, tomato based options. Please enjoy our suggestions below: Pepper steak, lasagne, roasts, rich mushroom, lamb, beef or wild game. Pasta with tomato based sauce, and pizza.

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