Review Craggy Range Merlot 2001

88 points

From Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

This is a show pony (Paris Hilton in modern parlance) wine. Likely to storm serious tastings. At its best after some breathing (which bodes well for the future) throwing off a bit of that extremely modern bright shiny acid style. Dark, with fruit cake aromas, rich fruit and yet smoke flavours on the finish. All top class stuff, but it suffers from being too obvious (like an art school rock band).

Don't let me sound too critical, this is very impressive wine for a new label - very much so. But I suspect that pitched against a similar (including similarly priced) old world precocious new star it wouldn't fair so well. eg I'd like to try this again Ch Potensac.