Hans Herzog ‘Spirit of Marlborough’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2012 is a majestic, fully mature Bordeaux‑style red from Marlborough, rolling out layers of plum, blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, cigar box and tobacco with that tell‑tale graphite and savoury herb complexity you expect from top Left Bank claret. Medium to full‑bodied, it’s velvety yet still tightly focused, with fine, persistent tannins, vibrant acidity and incredible length – 2012 Spirit of Marlborough Cabernet Merlot shows why this cuvée sits among the Southern Hemisphere’s benchmark Bordeaux blends and carries a stellar 96‑point rating from James Suckling.

On the table, this Hans Herzog Spirit of Marlborough 2012 is built for serious meals – think rib‑eye on the bone, slow‑braised beef cheek, lamb shanks, venison or rich game pies where its depth and structure really shine. It’s outstanding with hard, aged cheeses, truffled dishes or a classic roast beef with all the trimmings, especially after a long decant to let those tertiary notes of leather, earth and cigar box unfurl.

Hans Herzog ‘Spirit of Marlborough’ 2012 comes from ultra‑low‑yielding Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on the warm, gravelly Wairau Plains, wild‑fermented and aged for close to three years in French barriques before long bottle ageing, giving a wine of remarkable finesse, precision and ageing capacity that can easily stretch beyond two decades in the right cellar.