2022 Awatea Cabernet-Merlot
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Awatea Cabernets Merlot is floral and layered with cassis and raspberry, chalk and tobacco, paprika dolce and pink peppercorns. This is modern claret at its finest, and I find it to be beguiling in that way. It's softer and a little less structural than the 2021 but with so much cushioning and fruit. The tannins are firm through the finish, and I feel that balances the sweet fruit well. Yes.
Critic scores
Average Score
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Awatea has a hard act to follow after three stellar vintages, and it's certainly not as dense nor impressive. It does provide a more classical example. Aromatically, it's very attractive with classic Bordeaux blend aromas of blackcurrant, plum, blackcurrant leaf, balsamic and spices of oak and pencil lead. It's a mid-weight, more restrained style with a moderate, finely textured tannin and a sense of old-world dark chocolate bitterness, which is a nice twist.