The highly acclaimed Bordeaux varieties and Syrah characterize the style of Waimarama.
Hawke's Bay's warm climate and strong sunshine allow Cabernet Sauvignon to fully mature, developing intense fruit flavors of cassis and blackberry. Gravelly soils such as Gimlet Gravel produce well-structured tannins, refreshing mint aromas and fine structure. This also enhances affinity with barrel aging, resulting in red wines that combine intensity and elegance.
Merlot grown in Hawke's Bay matures exceptionally well, with plump fruit flavors of plum and black cherry and appealingly rounded tannins. The warm climate brings out a mellow mouthfeel, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine with a soft finish. It's well-balanced as a single variety, and is highly regarded in blends for adding volume and softness to Cabernet varieties.
Hawke's Bay has particularly high reputation for Syrah in New Zealand. The warm, dry climate allows the grapes to fully mature, resulting in a well-balanced flavor that combines spiciness of black pepper with fruitiness of black berry and plum. It is not overly heavy, but combines a supple body and elegance. The refreshing finish gives it a distinctive character that differs from Australian Shiraz.
Wines made from this varietal
Cabernet Franc in Hawke's Bay combines the lightness of red fruit with a pleasant, refreshing herbal aromas, resulting in an elegant style. Thanks to the moderate warmth and well-drained soil, it is characterized by supple tannins while preventing excessive greenness. It makes a delicate and appealing wine on its own, and is valued in blends for adding complexity and aromatic layers.
Malbec grown in Hawke's Bay is characterized by its dense fruitiness of ripe black plum and blueberry, and smooth tannins. The warm climate allows the grapes to ripen well, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine with a refined acidity that tightens the overall flavor. It has a strong presence as a single variety, and it plays an important role in blends by adding depth, color, and rich fruit flavor.
