Mudbrick Reserve Montepulciano 2024 (Waiheke Island)
top 5Seeing in Waiheke wine delight the judges so much gives me great joy. This tiny island wine region off the coast of Auckland has a maritime climate, naturally, and is renowned for its boutique wineries that excel at Bordeaux blends, stunning syrahs and gorgeous chardonnays. Turns out you can also get one hell of a Montepulciano there, too.
In 1992, determined to do something different, Robyn and Nicholas Jones purchased a lifestyle block on Waiheke. The land was bare but the views were breathtaking and so began the story of Mudbrick which has endured and evolved for more than thirty years. From the initial vines to a simple mud house to a café, decades of blood, sweat, tears and, most importantly, love has gone into the stunning landscaped winery, restaurant, bistro, wedding venue and premium accommodation venue that delights visitors to Mudbrick today.
If, anytime soon, you find yourself on the terrace at Mudbrick looking back to Auckland over the Hauraki Gulf , we recommend you select this stunning wine as your wine of choice. Massively coloured in the glass, a vibrant purple on the rim, the nose is full of sweet fruit, fresh greens and intoxicating spice. The palate is intense and vibrant with dense dark-fruit flavours balanced with subtle, well-handled oak. The palate is lifted and energy filled yet finishes long and luscious. Delightful in its youth, it has a very long future ahead for those who wish to cellar.
