Paritua 2007 21▪12 Red (Hawke’s Bay)

Country: New Zealand / 21▪12
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Hawke’s Bay
Winery: Paritua /

Paritua’s high-end blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc is sweetly scented, with notes of mocha, cassis and tobacco, and velvety in texture, with a long, supple finish. The issue is that the flavors veer close to vegetal, and while some folks like a bit of capsicum in their red wines, this has a rather large dose.