A blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this 2009 Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet has a lifted nose of black plum, blackcurrant, a touch of truffle and a hint of chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a little astringency on the entry; peppery towards the chewy finish that needs more delineation and finesse. Drink now-2014. Tony Bish continues to produce some outstanding examples of Hawkes Bay wine and their Helmsman stood shoulder to shoulder with an array of top Bordeaux 2005s at a blind tasting in 2009. Their entry-level Gunn Estate wine form a superb introduction to the delights of the region’s wines, in particular their Skeetfield Chardonnay.Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa, CA; www.diageo.com