Mission, Reserve Merlot, Gimblett Gravels
Mission · Hawke's Bay › Gimblett Gravels › New Zealand
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
72
/100
Reviews
2
professional
Vintages
No vintages
NV
Community Reviews
44
Reviews
72.0
Avg Score
89
Highest
Taster #7723
· Mar 20, 2025
I often mutter about leaving my bottles too late but in this case I opened it too early, although I suspected I was. I'd seen very good reviews of their 2021 merlot and was curious to try it when I saw the 2020. Anyway, pretty tannic at the moment, a run through the aerator helped take the edge off but still this could have sat a fair bit longer. Dark fruit was notable in the nose and taste but other …
2020 vintage
Taster #5409
· Jan 8, 2024
55/100
Dark cherry and plum on the nose. Medium body and juicy on the palate. With a lingering acidity. Hints of tobacco and oak. Better as a standalone wine - some of the flavour seems to I get lost with food (and we tried multiple types of food).
2020 vintage
Taster #3375
· Apr 7, 2023
Dark burgundy colour. Lots of ripe dark berry/cherry aromas and hints of tobacco. Big fruity taste and surprising acidity for merlot. Tannins are well-incorporated but very noticeable right out of the bottle. Definitely worth a few minutes to aerate. Some body and lingering black cherry aftertaste. Paired extremely well with aged firm cheese (manchego).
2020 vintage
Taster #3714
· Jan 20, 2023
89/100
Bu en succ. Souple et assez fruité. Belle matière et amplitude, sur le cassis et les cerises. Un peu de tabac et de la terre. Les tannins sont bien enrobés et la finale de belle longueur. On aime.
2020 vintage