Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2020

Mills Reef’s Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2020 is a proud expression of Gimblett Gravels terroir—renowned for producing some of New Zealand’s finest Bordeaux-style reds. The vintage was warm and dry, delivering fruit with exceptional ripeness and concentration. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak barriques, this wine blends the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the plushness of Merlot to create a refined, age-worthy red.

Bouquet
Dark and brooding aromatics of blackberry, cassis, and plum are layered with notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, and toasted spice.

Palate
Full-bodied and elegantly structured, with fine tannins and generous depth. Ripe blackcurrant, dark cherry, and cocoa are met by hints of graphite, leather, and vanilla from oak ageing. The balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin ensures a long, satisfying finish that lingers with savoury complexity.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside slow-cooked beef, grilled lamb, or a rich mushroom and lentil ragù. Also excellent with mature cheddar or a rosemary-crusted rack of lamb.

Cellaring
Drinking well now but will reward cellaring over the next 6–10 years as tertiary notes of earth and spice emerge.

Interesting Fact
Mills Reef has been a trusted name in Hawke’s Bay since 1989, and their Reserve range is known for capturing the strength of Gimblett Gravels fruit with polish and finesse. The 2020 vintage is considered one of the best in recent memory.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%