Michael Coopers 2007 Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines

(Page 331)"Puriri Hills - Worth discovering, the 2002 vintage () is a Clevedon, South Auckland blend of Merlot (66%), Cabernet Franc (18%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Malbec (3%). Full-coloured, it is fragrant and generous, with plummy, spicy, slightly earthy flavours showing good harmony, warmth, roundness, and a strong, toasty oak influence (from 21 months in 60 percent new French oak barriques). Lovely now, the 2003 vintage () is a fine effort for the difficult season, fleshy and rich. Full but not dense in colour, with a spicy bouquet, it is supple, with very satisfying depth of cassis, plum and spice flavours, slightly leathery, savoury and nutty.""Puriri Hills Reserve - Grown at Clevedon, in South Auckland, the very stylish 2002 vintage () is a blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Franc (42%) and Malbec (8%), matured for 21 months in French oak barriques (75 percent new). Densley coloured and highly fragrant, it has a lovely mouthfeel and texture, with an array of plum, spce, herb, leather and chocolate flavours, good supporting tannins and excellent harmony. It's a sensuous red, savoury and silky. (There is no 2003, but the outstanding 2004 () will be released in 2008.)"