In this Featured Wine Review I taste a selection of six wines from Paritua, a premium red and white wine vineyard, winery, cellar door and wine shop in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
‘Truly Great Wine Speaks of the Land in Which it was Born.’
The Paritua vineyard is in the heart of the acclaimed Bridge Pa Triangle wine region of Hawke’s Bay, on New Zealand’s North Island. The site is all gravel soils and gentle contours, surrounded by hills and blessed with long, lingering summers and clear, crisp winters… exceptional conditions to create exceptional wines.
The name Paritua is a tribute to the Paritua Stream, which meanders gently through the vineyard which is planted over the historical riverbed of the nearby Ngaruroro River which flowed through before the 1860s earthquake. It is a name that also acknowledges the connection with the land and the people of New Zealand.
Exceptional Wine-making Goes into every Bottle.
Wines bearing the boutique label Paritua are produced only in outstanding vintages, whilst their Stone Paddock selection of wines are made every year. Every bottle of Paritua wine comes from grapes grown on this special, single vineyard, organically farmed site.
Winemaker
The Winemaker is Jason Stent. After being introduced to wine at about 7 years old a lifetime love affair began. He grew up in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand, enjoying cold winters playing rugby, hiking, and racing bicycles, Indian summers filled with backyard cricket, softball, swimming, cycle racing and exploring New Zealand.
At 20 years old Jason headed to France to race in the tough amateur road racing competition. He raced for a Bordeaux based club for two seasons. After a chance tasting of a 1961 Chateau Haut Brion Magnum, he decided wine was his future.
Jason’s passion is creating wines that have a sense of place that respect the varietal nature and the terroir in which the vine is grown.
The Paritua Wine Range
21:12 The flagship wine made in only the very best of vintages is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine-making team at Paritua have one simple aim, to have 21·12 placed alongside the greatest Bordeaux Blends New Zealand has ever produced.
The Paritua Range is their best vintage expression. The wines are made from very low yielding vines from specially selected areas of the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and only the very best quality fruit is used: Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc.
The Stone Paddock range are their finest regional wines, crafted by Paritua Vineyards, representing the best of New Zealand’s diverse viticultural regions, and their commitment to quality and pure varietal expression.
To find out more about Paritua, visit and explore their very comprehensive website and purchase wines online. If you are in the Hawke’s Bay visit the cellar door and enjoy a tasting journey through their range of world-class wines. https://paritua.com
JB’s Reviews Six Wines from the Range.
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock Chardonnay 2023 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Shiny mid yellow gold in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, aromas of fresh stone-fruit, bright citrus & a creamy leesy note to finish. The palate is concentrated & juicy with ripe peach / nectarine flavours, a zesty citrus acidity, slightly grippy oak & a creamy lees element. A complex, well balanced wine with a juicy, yet crisp dry finish – delicious, excellent value-for-money Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay.
RRP:$25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery ‘Willow’ Chardonnay 2022 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Bright mid lemon-gold in colour, ample bodied with great legs! Really aromatic nose with stone-fruit, green apple, tangerine citrus & subtle fresh baked bread notes. Mouth-filling palate with juicy ripe stone-fruit flavours, mandarin & grape-fruity acid backbone, nutty, creamy lees & fine oak influence adding depth & textural complexity. Long very moreish finish. Fabulous! Selected by Cameron Douglas MS for the Hawke’s Bay Annual Chardonnay Collection Vintage 2022. I love this style of Chardonnay RRP:$40.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock, ‘Scarlet’ 2020, Hawke’s Bay NZ
A blend of 56 % Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Cabernet Franc
Dark cherry – ruby red in colour lighter at the rim, medium bodied wine. The nose is filled with aromas of dark plums and blackberries, a hint of savoury earth, then warm spicy oak notes follow. On the palate there’s lush dark fruit, juicy dark plums, boysenberry & blackberry flavours, a fresh acidity & grippy, slightly herbaceous tannins rounded out by spicy oak. Long bone-dry finish – punching well above its weight & price point. An excellent tasty red blend drinking beautifully. RRP: $25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock Syrah 2022 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Deep opaque purple in colour with a ruby rim, medium bodied wine. A fragrant & floral nose with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, stewed plum & subtle spice. The palate reflects the nose, with intense flavours of ripe summer berries, red plums, spice, pepper – wonderful velvety tannins, a lively acidity & fine spicy oak influence all in balance – a wee peppery bite on the long dry concentrated finish. RRP: $25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Bridge Pa Syrah 2021 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Semi translucent deep cherry red in colour, light ruby red at the rim. Intense nose with dark cherry & dark berry fruit aromas, warm baking spices then savoury herb & pepper notes. Full bodied palate with lush plum, dark & red berry fruit flavours, wonderful textural elements, with fine powdery tannins, a grippy acidity and subtle oak all adding depth & complexity – persistent dry and mouthwatering finish – a beautifully balanced & elegant Syrah. Just gorgeous. RRP:$50.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Red 2020 Hawke’s Bay NZ
A blend of 44% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 16% Cabernet Franc
Dark purple / black cherry in colour to the rim, ‘ample bodied’ wine, opaque with great legs staining the glass. Powerful nose with aromas of black doris plum, blackberry, floral notes, a hint of choccy, warm oak spice & a mineral / earthy element. The palate is rich & concentrated with ripe dark berries, blackcurrants, spice, perfectly integrated tannins & acidity supported by fine toasty oak & nice heat from 14.5% abv. The finish is dry, long and very memorable – my favourite wine of the year so far! Outstanding. RRP: $50.00