
Dark and bright, Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ’18 is inky purple with an electric crimson edge. From a warm and dry vintage, Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ‘18 shows ripe blackberry and black currant aromatics with elements of vanilla creme and sandalwood. On the palate there’s a banquet of plum, raspberry, dried herbs, and lingering dark cherry, set out across cedar and cocoa powder tannins. Classical in structure with fine balance and length, this is a generous Awatea of resplendent purity and detail.