Quality New Zealand reds are often priced on the wrong side of $25.00, so, when the vintage conditions are right, this wine offers great value. Sometimes it is a cabernet sauvignon dominant blend (cabernet-merlot), sometimes vice-versa.

2004

4/5 stars from Michael Cooper (Buyer's Guide to NZ Wine 2007)

silver medal: Royal NZ Easter Wine Show 2007, Liquorland NZ Top 100 Wine Show 2006

2002

From a top vintage. 4/5 stars from Michael Cooper in his Buyer's Guide to NZ Wine 2006; 93/100 from Bob Campbell MW in the Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine (August 2004);

silver medal: Royal NZ Easter Wine Show 2004, Liquorland NZ Top 100 Wine Show 2004

bronze medal: Air NZ Wine Awards 2004

2001

5/5 stars Winestate Magazine Australia (2003); 4/5 stars from Michael Cooper in his Buyer's Guide to NZ Wine 2004;

gold medal: London International Wine Challenge 2003;

silver medal: Air NZ Wine Awards 2003, Royal NZ Easter Wine Show 2003.

Winemaker’s tasting notes: "Spicy plum and tobacco aromas lead into a palate that shows rich Merlot and Malbec black plum and red berry-fruit characters".