Mills Reef Estate Merlot Cabernet

Charles Mills – sea captain, gold miner and former Member of Parliament and Minister of Trade & Custom 1890-1908. He’s a bit of a legend in the family tree of the name behind this iconic Hawke’s Bay producer, so you can see why they ended up naming their wines after him. As for the reef bit, nothing to do with anything he smoked but everything to do with how he spent his days – watching for reefs at sea and mining for reefs of gold.

Although their vineyards are mostly based in Hawke’s Bay their vineyard is actually just out out of Tauranga – and it’s flash as! Twenty aces of landscaped grounds, wine making and bottling facilities, an underground cellar, 150-seat restuarant and conference centre – and quite the spot to get hitched at!

Using fruit from some of their vineyards in the Bridge Pa Triangle sub region of Hawke’s Bay. Aged for 12 months in oak, this two thirds Merlot to a third Cabernet Sauvignon blend and it’s a great value Bordeaux blend red as always. Medium to full bodied and good to go now with your favourite Sunday roasts!

This latest 2020 vintage is a real beauty and backed by a 90/100 & Top Value Award by Master of Wine Bob Campbell. Bob said “Deep-tinted red with intense fruit and savoury characters including Black Doris plum, blackberry, cedar, liquorice and mixed spice supported by ripe, chunky tannins. It offers a lot of bang for the buck.”

Meanwhile critic Michael Cooper also gave it thumbs up with a 4 Star write up. “Instantly likeable, the good value 2020 vintage (4*) is a 2:1 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for a year. Deeply coloured, it is very fresh, fruity and smooth, with ripe berry, plum and spice flavours, showing good richness. Best drinking 2023+.”