Gimblett Gravels 2008s & 2009s

I have written about the Gimblett Gravels before (see here for example). This well-drained subregion within the warm Hawkes Bay region on New Zealand's North Island really can produce some pretty impressive wine – notably Bordeaux blends with Merlot generally given the dominant role and, increasingly, varietal Syrah.

The more extrovert producers know they are on to a good thing, which is why they increasingly submit their wines for high profile taste-offs such as the London one I described here and a recent replay in Hong Kong.

They have had Andrew Caillard MW of Australian auctioneers Langtons choose a selection...