Fragrant and powerful, this wine is not shy! Purple flowers mingle with sweet, exotic spice, crushed bay leaf and ripe blueberries. A hint of toasted,smoked nuts adds intrigue to the aromatics.

Generous and approachable on the palate with an intensity of ripe blueberries and blackcurrants, highlighted with sweet spice and a whiff of aromatic smoke. Concentrated and mouth filling with a freshness that give the wine an exquisite balance. Flavours and textures linger with elegance on the palate. An uplifting wine.

98/100, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

97/100, Andrew Caillard MW

97/100, Cameron Douglas MS

5 Stars Michael Cooper 19/20, Raymond Chan

92/100, Rebecca Gibb – Decanter

91/100, Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 

Gold, Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review

Naming wines can be a tricky business, and inspiration can strike at the most unlikely moments – in this case behind the wheel of a John Deere 6300. We first sourced fruit for this wine from Hawke’s Bay winegrower Allan Gunn. We’d struggled to find a name we all felt passionate about, until one day Allan was driving his tractor through the vineyard, listening to the radio commentary of the legendary defence of the America’s Cup by Team New Zealand. Black Magic crossed the finish line and the bolt of inspiration hit. He phoned winemaker Tony Bish, convinced he’d found the elusive name for a great New Zealand wine. Helmsman was born.

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% abv.