Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot is a classic Hawkes Bay wine that showcases the region's unique gravelly bedrock. With earthy tones and a gentle stalky character, this Merlot offers ripe blackcurrant and plum aromas with elegant spice notes. Dark berry fruit flavours with excellent depth and roundness, and a deliciously soft finish. Perfectly paired with hearty meals like spare ribs, rich pasta dishes, and braised beef.

About the Producer

Sileni Estates was born from a long-standing interest in wine by Graeme Avery. In late 1997, along with financial director Chris Cowper and winemaker Grant Edmonds, he established Sileni as an export-oriented producer, committed to crafting world-class fine wines.

The winery is named after the Sileni who featured in Greek mythology as the companions of Dionysus, the God of Wine. They celebrated good wine, good food and good company - the holy trinity here at Boutinot. The vineyards and winery are based near Hasting in, Hawke’s Bay - the oldest wine region in New Zealand, on the east coast of the North Island. The wines are precise and fruit-driven, and as well as Pinot Noir and Syrah the range includes a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyard and Winery

The Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot is a blend of parcels sourced from the Sileni Lyons, Wedd, Talbot, JV and Hikumutu vineyards within the Bridge Pa Triangle Winegrowing Region, located on the Heretaunga Plains, Hawke's Bay. The Heretaunga Plains is one of the warmest areas in Hawke's Bay and coupled with the free draining red metal gravels provide the ideal conditions for growing Merlot.

Fermented in closed top stainless steel tanks with gentle maceration via rummage and pump-overs to extract colour and tannins. Inoculated with cultured yeasts to promote fruit aromatics, the wine was also co-inoculated for malolactic fermentation during primary which further enhances its fruit forwardness. Only a small proportion of oak to highlight aromatics and provide some extra richness to the palate. This wine is bottled early to capture its vibrancy.