Oyster Bay Merlot Hawkes Bay

Red and black fruit are underpinned by notes of chocolate, mint and dry cigar, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is wound in chalky tannins. The finish is short and the acidity feels a bit forced, but this is nevertheless an easy-drinking red.\n \n Producer Information\n Oyster Bay Wines is a New Zealand wine producer primarily known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines from Marlborough. It was established by family-owned company Delegat, and its inaugural vintage was named best Sauvignon Blanc at the 1991 International Wine and Spirit Competition. Oyster Bay was one of the first labels to capitalize on the popularity of the herbaceous, aromatic Marlborough style. It has since grown to be one of New Zealand's most recognizable wine brands. Vineyards throughout the Marlborough region provide grapes for Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with plantings in both Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley. Merlot and Pinot Gris are sourced from vineyards in the Hawke's Bay wine region on the country's North Island. The portfolio also includes a duo of sparkling wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Oyster Bay's annual case production has grown to over three million. The United Kingdom was originally the major destination for Oyster Bay wines but sales in the United States have taken over. In 2022, America accounted for 40 percent of Oyster Bay's global sales, making it one of the most represented New Zealand labels in the country.