Craggy Range

Te Kahu Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot Blend

8.766 ratings
8.617 pro ratings
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Hard Cheese, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Duck, Blue Cheese
Top Notes For
Isaac Pirolo

Interesting Right Bank style red. Currant, plum, dried herbs, damp earth, and a touch of vanilla.

Interesting Right Bank style red. Currant, plum, dried herbs, damp earth, and a touch of vanilla.

Sep 28th, 2017
Brett Jones

Deep ruby, spicy plum, dry, gentle tannins, blackcurrant with cinnamon notes, very approachable and satisfying.
A Merlot dominant blend from the special Gimblett Gravels Vineyard in Hawkes Bay.

Deep ruby, spicy plum, dry, gentle tannins, blackcurrant with cinnamon notes, very approachable and satisfying.
A Merlot dominant blend from the special Gimblett Gravels Vineyard in Hawkes Bay.

1 person found it helpfulDec 14th, 2014
Scott Taddeo

Feels safe and conjured. Nothing at all wrong with the wine, but no fireworks here.

Feels safe and conjured. Nothing at all wrong with the wine, but no fireworks here.

Apr 19th, 2017
Sipping Fine Wine

Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997 and situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak premium wine growing area of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Based on the single vineyard philosophy of winemaking, Craggy Range was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to make single vineyard wines from multiple New Zealand regions. Dark inky red with black fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. This 4 grape blend of 69% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc, 13% Cab Sauvignon and 8% Malbec shows blackberry flavors with cinnamon and vanilla spices. Tannins are fine, rich and complex on a lingering finish. Great value!

Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997 and situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak premium wine growing area of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Based on the single vineyard philosophy of winemaking, Craggy Range was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to make single vineyard wines from multiple New Zealand regions. Dark inky red with black fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. This 4 grape blend of 69% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc, 13% Cab Sauvignon and 8% Malbec shows blackberry flavors with cinnamon and vanilla spices. Tannins are fine, rich and complex on a lingering finish. Great value!

Nov 12th, 2016
Aimee Duell

Aggressively tannic. Meh.

Aggressively tannic. Meh.

Apr 9th, 2016
Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

8.7

Firm & Focused...Ends Rather Abruptly

Firm & Focused...Ends Rather Abruptly

Jan 20th, 2016
Kevin Walsh

Wine blogger doxologywine.com; Freelance Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers) Doxology Wine Consulting

7.8

Not very expressive, with a hollow mid palate.

Not very expressive, with a hollow mid palate.

Apr 28th, 2014
Fish Tony Fisher

Lovely. Would get again

Lovely. Would get again

Aug 1st, 2023
Mahfam Moeeni-Alarcon

Drinking a 2011 in 2022… or bad. Bought this in 2016 and completely forgot I had it…in my cellar and it drinks nicely!

Drinking a 2011 in 2022… or bad. Bought this in 2016 and completely forgot I had it…in my cellar and it drinks nicely!

Mar 13th, 2022
ESF
8.8

Inky & opaque, this showed itself right away w/dominant dark fruit profile of dusty plums & spice wrapped blackberry. Medium bodied on palate w/decent heft & grip, if a tad harsh sporting black fruit, some spice & pepper, cassis & cocoa, vanilla. Not elegant but serviceable Right Bank style - steal @ $16

Inky & opaque, this showed itself right away w/dominant dark fruit profile of dusty plums & spice wrapped blackberry. Medium bodied on palate w/decent heft & grip, if a tad harsh sporting black fruit, some spice & pepper, cassis & cocoa, vanilla. Not elegant but serviceable Right Bank style - steal @ $16

Feb 12th, 2022