The 2022 Awatea Cabernets Merlot is floral and layered with cassis and raspberry, chalk and tobacco, paprika dolce and pink peppercorns. This is modern claret at its finest, and I find it to be beguiling in that way. It's softer and a little less structural than the 2021 but with so much cushioning and fruit. The tannins are firm through the finish, and I feel that balances the sweet fruit well. Yes.- EL

The 2022 Awatea has a hard act to follow after three stellar vintages, and it's certainly not as dense nor impressive. It does provide a more classical example. Aromatically, it's very attractive with classic Bordeaux blend aromas of blackcurrant, plum, blackcurrant leaf, balsamic and spices of oak and pencil lead. It's a mid-weight, more restrained style with a moderate, finely textured tannin and a sense of old-world dark chocolate bitterness, which is a nice twist. - By Rebecca Gibb MW, May 2024