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Normally $31. Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2009 was one of only 3 to be given a 5 star / top 5 rating in the Cuisine Tasting - with the top wine retailing at $70 . 4½ Stars Michael Cooper, Best Buy – 100 Must try NZ Wines – Michael Cooper
and 18½ + Points, 5 Stars Raymond Chan ( senior wine judge ) who writes "A thoroughly modern, top quality, classy expression of the Right Bank Bordeaux style, this has a purple hued, ruby-red colour and a finely expressed, intense and tightly bound nose of pure black plum and dark red berry fruits. The medium-full bodied palate shows beautifully pure, succulently sweet plum and blackberry fruit flavours nuanced with elements of tobacco and cedar. The depth of fruit combined with elegant style is the feature of the wine. Very fine-grained tannin extraction underpins the fruit and provides a supple frame. The finish is rich and long. Drink this with roasted red meat dishes over the next 6-8+years. 80% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2%Malbec from the ‘Gimblett Gravels' vineyard, fermented to 13.8% alc. and matured 14 months in 35% new French oak barriques." Classy Merlot
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