We have some remarkable news  to share about our recent success at the International Cabernet Tasting at Cape Mentelle, Australia. The current Managing Editor of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski, rated Destiny Bay at the top of the first wine flight, ahead of four Australian cult wines, one esteemed French wine and a Robert Parker-rated 99 point California Cabernet (Spottswoode).

The 2013 vintage wines are available to members of the Patron Club now and will be released to the wider public via our retail/trade partners on 1 October.

If you are interested in securing that allocation please let us know by sending us an enquiry through our contact form.

Best Regards,

Sean Spratt
Owner & Winemaker

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Destiny Bay Shines at Judgement of Cape Mentelle

Reminiscent of the now famous showdown in Paris 40 years ago when California bested the great French wines, Destiny Bay faced off against the world’s 20 best cabernet-based blends at the annual Cape Mentelle blind tasting, and excelled.

WAIHEKE ISLAND, New Zealand, July 31, 2017– After waiting months to share the news with customers, patrons and fans, Destiny Bay Wines announced today that it succeeded in winning over a large group of critics and wine writers at the Cape Mentelle annual blind tasting of the world’s 20 best cabernet blends.

Joe Czerwinski, former Managing Editor of Wine Enthusiast and the new Managing Editor of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, published his notes from the tasting in the March 2017 edition of Wine Enthusiast. Joe ranked Destiny Bay’s 2013 Magna Praemia Number 1 in its flight ahead of four Australian, one California and one French Cab. Joe’s tasting notes foreshadowed his surprise when the identity of each wines was revealed. “Toasty, cedary oak. Dark fruit. Plush and velvety, with chocolate and plum on the long finish. California?”

Since 1982, Margaret River’s Cape Mentelle has hosted the annual blind tasting of top Cabernet Sauvignon based wines. To be included, a wine must be recommended by a respected wine writer or critic contacted by the Cape Mentelle selection panel.

“After the identity of the wines was revealed, many of the people involved, including winemakers from other participants, congratulated me and shared their tasting notes,” stated Sean Spratt, Winemaker and owner of Destiny Bay Wines. “Even being invited to such an esteemed event is an honor, and to be rated by Joe Czerwinski at the top of his flight is especially satisfying for our team”. Sean added, “We were included this year only because Bob Campbell recommended us when asked by the selection team at Cape Mentelle.” Bob Campbell is New Zealand’s first Master of Wine and is an internationally respected wine critic, wine judge and wine writer.

Destiny Bay was the only New Zealand wine included in the blind tasting. Others included ten wines from Australia (Houghton, Wynns, Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Yarra Yering, Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Deep Woods Estate, and Woodlands), three wines from California (Spottswoode, Chateau Montelena, and Diamond Creek), four wines from France (Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, Chateau Leoville Las Cases, Chateau Margaux, and Chateau Cos d’Estournel), and two wines from Italy (Sassicaia and Ornellaia).

“The 2013 wines will be released into our trade channel in October based on pre-orders.” Stated Vincent Labat, Destiny Bay’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “Although 2013 production was limited, we will be able to support all our current trade accounts with an allocation.”