Michael Cooper's 2008 Buyer's Guide to NZ Wines

In  Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2008, Puriri Hills was selected for the rare honour of “Potential Classic” status this year.  In addition, both Puriri Hills Pope 2005 and Puriri Hills Reserve 2005 received a five star rating, and Puriri Hills Estate 2005 received a four star rating. Read his reviews from pg. 343 below:

Puriri Hills "Pope" - "The very classy debut 2005 vintage (5 Stars) was named after Ivan Pope, who planted and tended the vines at this Clevedon, South Auckland vineyard. Blended from Merlot (47 percent), Carmenere (33 percent), Cabernet Franc (10 percent) and Malbec (10 percent), it has a dark colour and a brambly, slightly toasty bouquet. Youthful, with obvious potential, it is rich, ripe and highly concentrated, with hints of coffee and spices, and notable, complexity and density."

Puriri Hills 2005 Reserve - "Grown at Clevedon, in South Auckland, the vert stylish 2005 (5 stars) is a blend of Merlot (40 percent), Carmenere (21 percent), Cabernet Franc (17 percent), Cabernet Sauvignon (10 percent) and Malbec (12 percent). Very dark, with a spicy, nutty fragrance, it is lush, plump and silky, with blackcurrant, herb and spice flavours, deliciously soft and rich. Revealing great concentration and complexity, it's a star vintage."

Puriri Hills 2005 Estate- "The 2005 vintage (4 stars) of this consistently impressive Clevedon, South Auckland red is the finest yet. A blend of Merlot (63 percent), Cabernet Sauvignon (17 percent),  and Cabernet Franc (11 percent), with smaller amounts of Carmenere and Malbec, it has deep, youthful colour. The bouquet is perfumed; the palate is rich and welcoming, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum, herb and spice flavours, seasoned with quality French oak, and silky tannins. It's a very refined, harmonious and supple wine, offering delicious drinking from now onwards."