2019 Puriri Hills, Mokoroa, Auckland, New Zealand

Tasting note

Ripe an elegant nose with notes of red and black cherry, tobacco and cedar. The palate has lovely texture and very fine tannins.

Our thoughts

Set just outside Auckland and taking its name from the native Puriri tree, Puriri Hills is the dream of owner-winemaker (and former chemical engineer) Judy Fowler, who made no bones about wanting to make wines in the style of Bordeaux Right Bank star Cheval Blanc. In reality, with a mere three hectares or so planted around Fowler’s home, and the most spartan of winemaking facilities manned by a small team of three, this is more Le Pan than LVMH, and the smallest winery we work with. Its Mokoroa cuvée harnesses the young vines of the estate to yield a supremely drinkable bottling.