There is no doubting the quality of the 2004 Cabernet/Malbec/ Merlot Declaration (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Malbec ) with a wonderful, perfumed bouquet of raspberry, blueberry and cassis, great balance and purity on the palate with silky tannins and surfeit joie-de-vivre. Who needs Bordeaux with wines this good? One of the stalwarts of Hawkes Bay, C.J. Pask Winery was set up by Chris Pask in the early 1980s, joined by Roseworthy-trained winemaker Kate Radburnd in 1991 from Vidal Wines, concentrating on Bordeaux-style blends from 100 hectares of vines that they own or manage on the Gimblett Gravels. I tasted verticals of their wines back to the late-90s but here I will concentrate more on their recent releases, including their “Declaration” range produced in exceptional vintages from selected vines. Importer: Indigo Wine Group, LLC, S. Venice, FL; tel. (941) 483-1816; Fax (941) 483-1916