Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Te Kahu Merlot 2023 from Hawke’s Bay is a plush, Merlot‑led Bordeaux blend that pours deep garnet and immediately opens with dark plum, blackberry and cassis, laced with briar, cedar and a touch of tobacco leaf for a distinctly Gimblett Gravels character.

The palate is rich yet composed, with layers of ripe black cherry, blackcurrant and plum wrapped in cocoa‑powder tannins, dried tobacco, cedar and a subtle graphite and earthy note, all carried by fine acidity and those hallmark dusty gravel tannins into a long, dry, quietly powerful finish.

It is a superb partner for slow‑cooked beef cheeks, rosemary lamb, grilled rib‑eye, venison or a wild mushroom and truffle risotto, making Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Te Kahu Merlot 2023 an excellent value, cellar‑worthy Hawke’s Bay red for hearty dinners, Sunday roasts and more serious occasions alike.