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Tasting Notes
- Region New Zealand
- Wine Style Powerful Reds
- Wine Type Red
- Grapes Cabernetfranc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Closure Cork
Details
Prepare to be impressed with the Helmsman – a wine with a powerful aroma of sweet, exotic spices, crushed bay leaf, and ripe blueberries. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, mouth-filling, and balanced, with flavors that linger elegantly. This blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 22% Cabernet Franc has received numerous awards and high ratings from wine experts, who praise its depth, power, and complexity. The name Helmsman was inspired by the legendary defence of the America’s Cup by Team New Zealand, and it’s a fitting name for this exceptional New Zealand wine. Enjoy now or cellar until 2036!
Fragrant and powerful, this wine is not shy! Purple flowers mingle with sweet, exotic spice, crushed bay leaf and ripe blueberries. A hint of toasted,smoked nuts adds intrigue to the aromatics.
Generous and approachable on the palate with an intensity of ripe blueberries and blackcurrants, highlighted with sweet spice and a whiff of aromatic smoke. Concentrated and mouth filling with a freshness that give the wine an exquisite balance. Flavours and textures linger with elegance on the palate. An uplifting wine.
98/100, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Wonderfully aromatic and classically expressed, showing cassis, dark cherry, subtle tobacco, clove and spicy oak characters on the nose. The immensely concentrated palate displays outstanding depth and power, as well as refinement and harmony. A compelling rendition offering awesome structure and stunning complexity. A blend of 56% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot & 22% cabernet franc. At its best: now to 2036."
97/100, Andrew Caillard MW
97/100, Cameron Douglas MS
5 Stars Michael Cooper 19/20, Raymond Chan
92/100, Rebecca Gibb – Decanter
91/100, Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Gold, Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review
Naming wines can be a tricky business, and inspiration can strike at the most unlikely moments – in this case behind the wheel of a John Deere 6300. We first sourced fruit for this wine from Hawke’s Bay winegrower Allan Gunn. We’d struggled to find a name we all felt passionate about, until one day Allan was driving his tractor through the vineyard, listening to the radio commentary of the legendary defence of the America’s Cup by Team New Zealand. Black Magic crossed the finish line and the bolt of inspiration hit. He phoned winemaker Tony Bish, convinced he’d found the elusive name for a great New Zealand wine. Helmsman was born.
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc.
13.5% abv.
Customer Reviews
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
- Pricing For 1-12 bottles, shipping is $6.99 for Auckland, $8.99 for the North Island and $11.99 for the South Island. For 13 or more bottles, shipping is $11.99 for Auckland, $14.99 for the North Island and $17.99 for the South Island.
- Timing We estimate delivery to be up to 3-4 working days for urban NZ addresses, and up to 5 working days for rural delivery.
- Click and collect is available from our Albany warehouse shop.
- We do not ship outside of New Zealand.
- We are unable to deliver to PO Boxes. Delivery is via NZ Couriers.
Returns
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the ‘Complete Orders’ link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We’ll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we’ve received and processed the returned item.
