Toi Toi Lifestyle Hawke's Bay Merlot 2025

Description

Cherry, Oak, Plum

"It's elegantly fragrant on the nose with sweet plum, dark cherry, thyme, and nutmeg aromas, followed by a juicy palate that's smooth and supple. Well-balanced and structured with a fine, dry finish. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2026

Deep ruby in colour, the nose is lifted and fragrant with aromas of sweet plum, dark cherry, and subtle herbal notes, layered with hints of nutmeg spice. The palate is smooth and supple, showing juicy dark fruit with a rounded, even flow across the mid-palate. Fine, integrated tannins and balanced acidity provide structure without heaviness, leading to a dry, composed finish with good length and clarity.

From snow capped mountains to endless coastline, our native Toi Toi expresses itself distinctively across New Zealand. This adaptability is the inspiration for our wines - crafted from New Zealand’s best grape growing regions. Proudly family owned and sustainably produced – protecting our lands for future generations.

Sourced from selected Hawke’s Bay vineyards, the 2025 vintage delivered warm, settled conditions that supported even ripening and the development of concentrated, expressive fruit. Individual parcels were harvested at optimal maturity and fermented separately in open top fermenters, with a mix of wild and cultured yeasts used to build complexity. Gentle extraction through regular plunging helped develop colour and fine tannin structure while retaining balance and approachability. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed to oak barrels for maturation, where it spent time integrating fruit and structure before blending and bottling. The result is a Merlot that reflects both the richness of the region and a clean, modern winemaking approach.