2020 Boneline Waipara Iridium Cabernets Merlot

94 Points Cameron Douglas MS
In stock
This stylish and complex Bordeaux blend is full of ripe cassis and berry fruits, with a leafy and mineral turn about it. The freshness and fine tannin of this blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot is French-styled, reminding one of an earthy-mineral Cabernet Franc from the Loire. But it is also New Zealand in the best sense, with fruit expression and aromatics that are charming but never overbearing. Yet another serious delight from The Boneline.
$69.99 in mixed 6+ or $77.99 per bottle

Grape

Usually a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Its Origins

Boneline are a Waipara operation with a serious focus on terroir. Waipara’s lime-rich soils and nearly identical climate to Chablis allow Boneline to explore stylistic bridge points between the more restrained French and more brightly fruited characteristics of New Zealand terroir wines. The name Boneline itself invokes a network of ideas linking their wines and terroir to the primordial history of the site, directly referring to fossilised fish bones that have been found around the Waipara River - which also appear on their labels - and indirectly referring to the lime in the soil, itself a residue of fish calcium that forms the various bone-like substrata of many Waipara vineyards and makes the region such a special place for wine. Bringing to their work a broad range of human and marketing as well as winemaking talents, Boneline look set to define new possibilities for their exceptional place and its offerings.

What The Critics Say

94/100 Cameron Douglas MS

"From a blend of Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon with Merlot delivers a bouquet of complexity and power showcasing dark red berry fruits laced with five spice and smoky earth tones, sweet tobacco, bitter chocolate and velvet cake. A dry wine touches the palate with core flavours that mirror the bouquet, firm tannins and bold acid line secure the structure and foundation in place for the ripe fruit and complex flavours. A lengthy wine, delicious and fresh with best drinking from 2024 through 2030." Drink 2024 - 2030

92/100 The Real Review, Stephen Wong

"Deeply-pitched tarry oak, milk chocolate and blackcurrant fruit. Concentrated and liqueur-like. On the palate, it takes on a more old-fashioned style with baked diffuse fruit, noticeable heat and some early development characters. The opulent palate has creamy plummy fruit and big, woody tannins. Traditionally structured; very grippy on the end and quite drying tannins for the fruit. This needs more time to soften, but there is a hardness and severity to the wine which might always remain 18 DEC 2023." Drink 2025 - 2034

Variety Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot
Region Waipara
Closure Cap
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 14.50%
Maturity 2024 - 2034

This Wine Goes Well With

with GAME
with LAMB
with VENISON

Taste

3

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If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.