Bordeaux Blend 2013 – Black Market Deal #54229

This wine represents the pinnacle of New Zealand's interpretation of classic Bordeaux winemaking, crafted by arguably the country's most prestigious winery. What sets it apart is the combination of Hawke's Bay's unique terroir with Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blending techniques, creating a wine that honours French tradition while expressing distinctly New Zealand characteristics. The decade of careful cellaring has allowed the wine to develop extraordinary complexity beyond its already impressive foundation.

The extended cellaring has transformed this wine from a fruit-forward powerhouse into a sophisticated, multi-layered experience. While the core plum and blackberry flavours remain vibrant, the ageing process has developed fascinating secondary characteristics like tea leaf, olive tapenade, liquorice, and dried herbs. This evolution demonstrates the wine's exceptional structure and the winery's expertise in determining optimal release timing for maximum complexity.

Right Bank Bordeaux refers to the prestigious appellations like Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, known for Merlot-dominant blends that emphasise elegance and finesse over power. This New Zealand interpretation captures that philosophy through its rich, full-bodied profile balanced by cleansing acidity and refined tannin structure. The wine's ability to maintain fruit vibrancy while developing savoury complexity mirrors the best Right Bank expressions.

The remarkable scoring - including a perfect 100 points from Raymond Chan and 98 points from Bob Campbell MW - places this wine among New Zealand's absolute elite. These ratings from respected critics and publications reflect not just the wine's immediate appeal, but its technical excellence and ageing potential. Such consistent high scores across multiple reviewers indicate a wine of genuine world-class calibre that transcends regional boundaries.

Given its full-bodied nature and decade of development, this wine deserves careful handling to showcase its complexity. Decant it 1-2 hours before serving to allow the mature flavours to fully express themselves, and serve at cellar temperature (16-18°C) to highlight both the fruit intensity and savoury nuances. The lengthy finish and chalky tannins make it perfect for rich dishes like aged beef or game, where the wine's sophistication can truly shine.