Serve with slow‑braised beef cheek, grilled lamb shoulder or a rich mushroom and blue‑cheese tart, best enjoyed in a warm, low‑lit dining room with friends who appreciate structured, food‑friendly reds. This Kenzie River Flow Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022 from Hawke’s Bay is a compelling buy for those who want a layered, medium‑bodied blend with softness and cut rather than heavy‑handed oak or excessive alcohol.

Kenzie River Flow Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022 Hawke’s Bay opens with a lifted, red‑and‑black‑fruited intensity drawn from the sunny, river‑adjacent vineyards of the region, shaped by careful blending and longer barrel ageing. This wine is an excellent choice for those who enjoy Bordeaux‑influenced reds that balance plum‑like richness with a hint of dried herbs, graphite and iron‑like minerality.

On the nose there is dark plum, black cherry and cassis layered with a hint of dried thyme, bay leaf and a whisper of cedar, framed by supple tannins and a long, savoury finish. The palate is medium bodied yet layered, with a cool, saline edge that rewards both immediate drinking and short‑term cellaring.