One of the international wine industry's leading experts has described the 2013 Gimblett Gravels line-up of reds as possessing "all the hallmarks of a classic vintage".
Sydney-based master of wine Andrew Caillard was in Hawke's Bay as the independent selector of the Gimblett Gravels 2013 annual vintage selection - something he has undertaken annually since 2008.
Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association chairman Gordon Russell said the 2013 selection was the most comprehensive line-up so far with a record 46 wines submitted by members of the association.
"The excitement generated by the perfect growing conditions of the 2013 harvest meant this was the most anticipated annual vintage selection yet."
He said the 12 wines eventually chosen were "without doubt" among the greatest red wines yet to be produced in New Zealand and showcased the skills of the winemakers as well as underlining the special nature of the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing region, which covers just 800ha of free-draining soils left by the Ngaruroro River.