Reviews

“The flagship wine for Crossroads' first vintage in 1994. It is a secret blend of six varieties, the very best fruit available to the company; and the proportions vary each vintage. The fruit sources are Crossroads' vineyards at Fernhill, the Gimblett Gravels and Mangatahi. The wine is 14.5% alc., and was aged 14 months in all new oak barriques, of which 85% were French and 15% American. Very full, dense, near impenetrable black-red colour with some youthful purple hues. The bouquet is voluminous and full of very ripe black berry fruits with black pepper and spices, lifted by cedary new oak. The aromatics are nuanced and attractively interwoven. Rich, ripe and very opulent, waves of black plum and berry fruits, Oriental spices, black pepper and oak cedar flow across the palate. The fruit is extremely concentrated, but balanced by underlying, fine-textured tannins. The wine is bear decadent, but not excessive, and exudes great harmony and surprising stylishness. Serve with rich, hearty and spice-laden Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine over the next 8-10+ years. 19.0-/20”

Source

"Best Merlot in Australasia made in NZ"- 2011 Winestate Wine of the Year awards

"Dark crimson. Attractive hint of black pepper with a dash of leather, some ripe fruit but some freshness too. It's already a good drink though is not hurtling to the grave. Sprightly. 16.5 pts."

“Fruit from ‘Kereru', ‘Home Block' and ‘Southbank', barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 35% new French oak barriques, with 41% undergoing MLF. Bright, full straw-gold in colour, a little lighter on rim. The bouquet is softly pack with concentrated aromas of ripe, lightly savoury citrus fruits along with attractive layers of nutty oak and flinty interest. Medium-full bodied, softly presented and gentle flavours of citrus fruit are harmoniously entwined with spicy oak and flinty detail. This has good weight and presence, and a creaminess to the mouthfeel, lifted by some acid zestiness. The flavours grow, becoming bight, crisp and lively on a long and sustained finish. Match with roasted poultry, pork and veal over the next 4+ years. 4 Stars 17.5/20.”

“Fruit from the ‘Elms' vineyard, destemmed and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 14 months in 27% new French oak barriques. Very full, near saturated black-red colour with youthful purple hues. The nose is full and voluminous in presence, but stylishly restrained in expression, showing ripe black berry fruits with subtle black pepper aromas, along with complexing mineral and dark spice notes that emerge. Medium-full bodied, this has very good weight and substantial mouthfeel, the flavours of black fruits, Asian spices, black pepper and oak all harmonious in presentation and somewhat brooding. Very fine-grained tannins and soft, background acidity are in support, the wine possessing refined structure and good energy. The flavours of spicy black fruits carry through to a very long and lingering finish that builds in richness. Serve with roasted and grilled game meat over the next 6-8+ years. 5 Stars 18.5/20.”