Mills Reef’s 2013 harvest “the vintage of a lifetime”

Chief winemaker and director of Mills Reef Tim Preston already labels his 2013 harvest "the vintage of a lifetime".

This comes after earlier international successes for the winery's hand-crafted, Bordeaux-style reds.

Decanter magazine judges awarded Mills Reef Elspeth Trust Vineyard Syrah 2013 "Outstanding" status and its Elspeth Syrah 2013 a "Highly Recommended".

"Clearly, this is an exceptional vintage – 2013 is the year to put wine away to age, especially the Gimblett Gravels reds from the Hawke's Bay," says Preston. "Our prestige Elspeth reds will cellar for twenty to thirty years."

Preston says it is remarkable Mills Reef's affordable wines are beating more expensive competitors to win international accolades.

Earlier, Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot 2013 wine took one of only two golds awarded out of 174 Merlots entered at the 46th International Wine and Spirits Competition in England.

Judges of the wine say it has "intense blackberry and plum aromas, exotic Indian spice, elegant use of wood; concentrated flavours on the palate balanced by good freshness and ample but supple tannins, lingering finish."

The winning wines were made in Tauranga from grapes grown at the Mills Reef vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District in Hawkes Bay.

"It is hugely exciting that New Zealand reds are doing so well internationally," says Tim Preston. "There is a growing tide of recognition among Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, with Gimblett Gravels reds in particular being singled out for praise as 'world-class'."

Preston says Mills Reef has won more than 650 medals and 27 trophies, including Champion Trophy at this year's New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards for their 2013 Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon, and has been New Zealand Winemaker of the Year twice.

While Tim Preston's "vintage of a lifetime" tag for 2013 is proving to be particularly accurate, the coming season is mirroring 2013 so far, raising expectations for another special vintage in 2016.

"Weather wise, 2013 had a cool flowering period – not cold, but cool enough to regulate for perfect fruit set – followed by an ideal long, warm, even- growing season. We have been told we can expect a similar weather pattern this summer to what we had in 2013."