Aotearoa New Zealand, renowned for its crisp and affordable Sauvignon Blanc, is making its mark in the realm of luxury fine wines. Although it may never reach the astronomical price points of established wine regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Napa, which frequently reach thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, New Zealand is steadily elevating its presence beyond the classic $20 Sauvignon Blanc bottle.
Destiny Bay, a winery founded by the Spratt family, stands at the forefront of this movement. Their trio of exceptional Bordeaux blends—Destinae, Mystae, and Magna Praemia—incorporate varying percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. These wines are emerging as formidable contenders, rivaling some of the finest Bordeaux blends from France, Australia, Napa, and even Italy’s esteemed Super Tuscans.
Each bottle from Destiny Bay features an elegantly minimal label adorned with a distinctive golden shooting star, designed to be as instantly recognizable as Ferrari’s Prancing Horse logo. Unsurprisingly, these wines come with a notable price tag.
However, it’s essential to note that while these wines are far from inexpensive, the most expensive offering from New Zealand, the Magna Praemia, modeled after Bordeaux’s Left Bank, is priced at a relatively modest $346. In comparison, the equivalent Burgundian wine, such as Domaine Leroy’s astonishing $44,061 bottle, makes Destiny Bay’s top-tier wine appear exceptionally reasonable. With a commendable critic’s score of 93 points, it’s evident that these wines offer both exceptional quality and value. New Zealand’s foray into luxury fine wines is undoubtedly an exciting development in the world of oenophiles.
