Real Review "Buy of the Week" by Stephen Wong MW

A more affordable range from Squawking Magpie (but above their entry-level First Flight wines), this is made by industry legend Jenny Dobson. Squawking Magpie’s website claims that the wine came “from a great vintage” which is puzzling as the rest of Hawke’s Bay clearly experienced Cyclone Gabrielle. Nevertheless, this is good value and cleverly harnesses the lighter, more fragile aspects of that rainy year and Dobson has delivered a very supple and immediately complex wine for enjoying over the near term.

Open-knit, with a tangy and spicy Bloody Mary nose of savoury dried herbs and tomato. The palate is built around a soft core of boysenberry, black plum and star anise, elegant, fine-grained tannins and hints of cigarbox. The oak and extraction have been carefully measured. Approachably light on its feet and expressive; everything is in place to enjoy over the next few years, especially with food to highlight the complexity within. (Screwcap)

Awarded: Top Value