Elegance on a grand scale. Fine tight red with layers of fruit/berry and savoury spicy flavours. Aromatic wine with a pleasing floral lift. An impressive Bordeaux blend from a relatively new but very promising Waiheke Island producer.

The multi-award winning 2008 Ironclad has a tight leafy nose that unfurls in the glass to reveal blackberry raspberry leaf a touch of fresh fig and boysenberry jam. The palate is medium-bodied firm tannins good weight gentle but firm grip with a finely tuned almost Cote-Rotie-like finish. This is one of Waiheke emerging stars: a top class Merlot that should age well. Drink 2011-2017. -Neal Martin