Region: Waiheke Island, Obsidian Vineyard

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 73%, Merlot 23%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Malbec 2%

Winemaker’s Notes: “Deeply coloured, dark ruby rim intensifying to a deep blood-red centre. The very ripe nose includes aromas of cassis, chocolate, vanilla and toasty oak with coffee hints. Soft tannins and sweet fruit combine with palate weight to provide a lengthy finish. This is a rich and full-bodied wine that will develop very well over a number of years.” Notes - July 2000

Accolades:

* * * * (4 stars) (90/100)

Rich, developed wine with Bovril, forest floor flavours. Quite plump with intense sweet fruit and spice. Bob Campbell MW February, 2011

* * * * * (5 stars) (93/100) "Obsidian's latest release 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot has very classy berry fruit, mint, liquorice, spice and cedar flavours supported by a firm backbone of ripe tannins that promise good cellaring potential". Bob Campbell, Cuisine Wine Annual 2001

    * * * * * (5 stars) Grown at Onetangi, near Stonyridge, Obsidian 1999 is a substantial cabernet/merlot blend with blackcurrant, red berry and spice flavours, impressively ripe and intense."        Michael Cooper, Sunday Star-Times, April 15 2001.                                                             Obsidian Cabernet Merlot 1999 - Silver Medal Bragato Wine Awards 2001

  "...my hot tip is for the 1999 Obsidian, due to be released in the middle of this year. It is a totally super wine, one of the best I tried at a recent line-up of Waiheke wines, showing off the extra good ripeness achieved in 1999. It has amazing flavour and richness yet is soft and integrated with subtle creamy oak. Plums dominate the flavours then redcurrants emerge. Ripe fruit tannins make a statement then creamy berry fruit lingers. This is a totally gorgeous, concentrated, intense wine, with great length. I scored it 19/20..."

Sue Courtney, Wine of the Week, March 25 2001.