Weekly Wine Online

The following is an article I wrote back in October 2007 for Bottlenotes, but I thought I'd revive it here since this wine just keeps getting better and better!

Ever heard of a cult New Zealand Bordeaux Blend? Neither had I until recently.

Meet Destiny Bay.

Destiny Bay, despite its sticky-sweet name, is a beautiful wine that is only going to become greater as it ages, the demand of which will also likely increase especially considering the very limited production of less than 3000 cases a year. Partner Mark Feldman, describes Mike Spratt, the winemaker, as the epitome of obsession, turning his wine habit into perfection.

Mike and Mark are best friends, first meeting while working in Silicon Valley 30 years ago. Mike now lives with his botonist wife, Anne, on Waiheke Island in New Zealand, 19km south of Aukland. Their vineyard is best described by the words from the website introduction:

Destiny Bay Vineyards is a tiny, quintessential corner of Waiheke Island, gently contoured like an ancient amphitheatre, sheltering vines of impeccable lineage, where the alchemy of winemaking combines old world traditions, new world techniques, and a timeless passion for excellence.

Indeed, this wine is excellent. I had the great privilege of trying the 2005 Mystae, 2004 Magna Praemia and 2005 Magna Praemia on Wednesday night at the home of former SEC Chief, Bill Donaldson. With 30 other wine lovers, we toasted and tasted while overlooking the East River, mist rising at the end of the day like the perfume from the glass.

Of the three wines, my favorite was the 2005 Mystae, which was also the least expensive (always a nice surprise!) The Mystae had a beautiful blackberry nose and a palate of coffee, bittersweet chocolate and blackberry. It was heavenly, a perfect balance of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Malbec.

The 2004 Magna Praemia was also delicious. The nose made me feel warm and cozy, with the smell of campfire and chocolate. The palate had lots of minerals and herbs to it - I was able to pick out oregano flavors, but there were many more in there as well. And what was especially impressive was the lingering acidity and finish.

The 2005 Magna Praemia was tasty, but paled in comparison to the Mystae and 2004 Magna Praemia. I liked the nose, which gave off hints of leather, eucalyptus and cherry. But the palate was all fruit - plums and cherries and little spice, but no really depth or complexity in comparison to the other two. Then again, I like my wine a little meatier and less fruit-forward, so maybe that's why it wasn't my favorite.

Regardless, it was a beautiful night of tasting in an equally beautiful setting. There's something about tasting wines in a home that greatly enhances their beauty, almost as if the warmth of a home illumines the flavors of the wine. Whatever it is, be it the setting, the fruit or the winemaking, Destiny Bay was a showstopper on Wednesday night!