2000 CABERNET SAUVIGNON - Sold Out

215 bottles produced

Hawkes Bay’s 2000 vintage was marked by an unusually hot mid to late summer that produced an exceptional crop. The fruit for this Zepelin cabernet was harvested in optimum condition.

The 2000 Zepelin Cabernet Sauvignon is a Hawkes Bay classic. It has a bouquet that draws comparisons with wet leather, spice and baked fruit. The palate is concentrated, nicely weighted with soft supple tannins and good acidic spine. The flavours are evocative of dark plums, mocha and cedar. This wine would be the ideal partner for red meats, game and cheese.
Cellar until 2013 -15.

2001 CABERNET MERLOT FRANC - Sold Out

• $43.90 NZD per bottle

1,160 bottles produced

2001 was a small vintage for Hawkes Bay, the crop curtailed by spring frosts. This led to good concentration in the remaining fruit, with merlot being one of the year’s top performers.

The 2001 Zepelin Cabernet Merlot Franc has a rich and fascinating nose, smelling of earth, meat, red roses and coffee. The palate is velvet-smooth, dry and robust, with flavours that are evocative of black fruit, plums and wood-spice. This wine should be enjoyed with hearty fare such as lamb shanks or beef bourguignon.
Cellar until 2012 -14.

2002 CABERNET MERLOT FRANC - Sold Out

• $35.90 NZD per bottle

850 bottles produced

A warmer-than-average Autumn was just what the 2002 vintage in Hawkes Bay needed. It was a vintage marked by high natural sugar and acid levels.

The 2002 Zepelin Cabernet Merlot Franc has lifted aromas of berryfruit, sweet plums and cinnamon. The palate is dry, poised, medium in weight with bright acids and flavours of Christmas cake, plums, beetroot and licorice. The aftertaste is dry and lingering. This wine would be a fine accompaniment for a lamb dish or cheeseboard.
Cellar until 2010 -12.

2002 SYRAH - Sold Out

• $39.90 NZD per bottle

850 bottles produced

A warmer-than-average Autumn was just what the 2002 vintage in Hawkes Bay needed. Most winemakers picked Syrah as the best performing red of the vintage.

The 2002 Zepelin Syrah exudes strong, vegetal, moist earth and tobacco scents. The palate is seductively round, soft and lithe, tasting of damson plums, ground pepper, leather and molasses. The finish is marked by a lingering green tobacco leaf character. This wine would be a perfect partner with most meat dishes and bouillabaisse.
Cellar until 2010 -12.

2003 Cabernet Syrah Merlot

• $29.90 NZD per bottle
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The 2003 vintage in Hawkes Bay was marked by spring frosts which drastically lowered the yield across the region. However, the remaining fruit was of exceptional quality. At Zepelin we seized the opportunity to create this beguiling, four-variety blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 5%.

The 2003 Zepelin Blend is an intense but elegent wine. The bouquet is Bourdeaux-esque and reminiscent of black fruit (cassis, particularly) and spices. The fruit presence on the palate is lush and delicious, supported by soft tannis. The finish is long and savoury. The wine would be the ideal partner for red meat, game and most cheeses. Cellar until 2009-11.

2004 Merlot Franc - Sold Out

• $38.90 NZD per bottle

After frost-reduced 2003 vintage, 2004 came as a welcome relief in Hawkes Bay. A warm summer was followed by a cool autumn, which drew out the growing season, ensuring acidity levels and fruit flavours were retained.

The 2004 Zepelin Merlot Franc is a careful marriage of broad plum flavours and textural softness of merlot with the tarry, dark characters of cabernet franc. The wine is elegantly structured, and offers an intriguing spectrum of flavours, from licorice to maraschino cherries. It should be decanted before serving and would be an ideal accompaniment to most meats, pastas and soft cheeses. Cellar until 2010-12.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ( Bronze Medal *)

• $24.90 NZD per bottle
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After the frost-reduced 2003 vintage, 2004 came as welcome relief in Hawkes Bay. A warm summer was followed by a cool autumn, which drew out the growing season, ensuring acidity levels and fruit flavours were retained.
The 2004 Zepelin Cabernet Savigonon is a ripe, intense expression of this classic Bordeaux grape variety. Dark cherry and mocha scents usher in attractive fruit flavours akin to kirsch, dark fruits and malt, while gentle oak treatment offers a hint of cedar. The tannins are soft smooth. This wine would be an ideal partner for red meats, pasta and soft cheeses. It is ready to drink now or can be cellared until 2008-10

*Air New Zealand Wineawards 2006 BRONZE Medal

2004 Syrah ( Silver Medal*) - Sold Out

• $39.90 NZD per bottle

After the frost-reduced 2003 vintage, 2004 came as a welcome relief in Hawkes Bay. A warm summer was followed by a cool autumn, which drew out the growing season, ensuring acidity levels and fruit flavours were retained.

The 2004 Zepelin Syrah is a fine example of Hawkes Bay's suitability for Syrah. It's perfumes - herbs, wild flowers and roast meat - are seductive and a centred fruit presence supported by integrated supple tannins ensures a lush, satisfying palate. Pepper, treacle and savoury characters linger. This wine would be an excellent partner for game dishes and hearty stews. Celler until 2012-14.

*Air New Zealand Wineawards 2006 SILVER Medal

2005 Syrah

• $39.90 NZD per bottle
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2570 bottles produced

The 2005 Hawkes Bay summer took a while to get underway, but came through with a long spell of warm, dry weather from January through to March. From Zepelin vineyard we harvested dark, flavorsome fruit showing strong varietal definition.
The 2005 Zepelin Syrah has a dark ruby colour and aromas of maraschino cherries and wet leather. There is a wide flavour spectrum that moves from plum to fruitcake to white pepper notes. Medium in weight, the wine has sustained a ripe finish and integrated tannins. This Syrah would be a great partner for full-flavoured cuisine, particularly Italian dishes, and soft cheeses. Drink now or cellar until 2010-12.

2005 Merlot Cabernet Franc

• $31.90 NZD per bottle
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2298 bottles produced

The 2005 Hawkes Bay summer took a while to get underway, but came through with a long spell of warm, dry weather from January through to March. From Zepelin vineyard we harvested dark, flavorsome fruit showing strong varietal definition.
The 2005 Zepelin Merlot Cabernet Franc is a wine of complexity, depth and balance. Entry on to the palate is marked by dark berry fruit, plum and tobacco flavours. There is satisfying fruit weight mid-palate, a sound structure and the cabernet franc provides an enjoyable bitter twist to the finish. This wine would be a great accompaniment for red meats to the and strong, characterful sausages. Drink now or cellar until 20012-14.

2005 Cabernet Merlot

• $24.90 NZD per bottle
• Add to cart

4230 bottles produced

The 2005 Hawkes Bay summer took a while to get underway, but came through with a long spell of warm, dry weather from January through to March. From Zepelin vineyard we harvested dark, flavorsome fruit showing strong varietal definition.
The 2005 Zepelin Cabernet Merlot offers scents akin to blackcurrant, molasses and dark plums. The palate is dry with a vibrant and approachable core of fruit framed by smooth tannis. The ripe cabernet savignon component opens up in the glass to give the wine heightened berry fruit flavours and elegance. This wine would be the ideal partner for the soft cheese and charcuterie dishes. Drink now or cellar until 2012-12.

2006 Rose - Sold Out

• $18.90 NZD per bottle

876 bottles produced

A warm, dry summer laid the platform for an outstanding Hawkes Bay 2006 vintage, with the red varieties in particular achieving good levels of ripeness and flavour complexity.
The 2006 Zepelin Rose was made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This is a dark, intense rose exhibiting berryfruit and toffee scents. It is off-dry and refreshing in the mouth, where berry and rhubarb characters are carried by steely, bright acidity, and a hint of lingering sweetness comes through on the back palate. This is a perfect summer lunch wine and would be an excellent partner for a seafood risotto. Drink now or cellar until 2006.

2007 Rose - Sold Out

• $22.50 NZD per bottle

653 bottles produced

The 2006 spring arrived early in Hawkes Bay, followed by a summer that went on and on. By harvest time in 2007 the fruit was of a high quality across the board, red varieties in particular showing excellent ripeness. The 2007 Zepelin Rose is made from a 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah grapes. Rosehip, berry fruit and stewed plum notes come through on the nose. The palate is dry, broad, with an even texture and restrained red berry and dried herb notes. A refreshing acidity helps make this an excellent food wine. The perfect partner for summer salads and creamy pasta sauces. Drink now or cellar until 2009.

2008 Rose - Sold Out

• $19.50 NZD per bottle

1389 bottles produced

A warm, dry summer laid the platform for an outstanding Hawkes Bay 2008 vintage, with the red varieties in particular achieving good levels of ripeness and flavour complexity.
The 2008 Zepelin Rose was made from 67% Syrah and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This is a dark, intense rose exhibiting rosehips, strawberry and toffee scents. It is off-dry and refreshing in the mouth, where berry and rhubarb characters are carried by steely, bright acidity, and a hint of lingering sweetness comes through on the back palate. This is a perfect summer lunch wine and would be an excellent partner for a seafood risotto and summer salads.
Drink now or cellar until 2010.
Contains preservative 220. Contains 8.0 standard drinks per bottle.
13.5% Alc, 750ml
Wine of New Zealand

2009 Rose

• $19.50 NZD per bottle
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A dry summer laid the platform for an outstanding Hawkes Bay 2009 vintage, with the red varieties in particular achieving good levels of ripeness and flavour complexity.
The 2009 Zepelin Rose shows the fruit and fragrance characteristic of the grapes on which it is predominantly based – Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The berry fruit notes of Cabernet are lifted by the raspberry and hints of strawberry that result from the early separation of the juice from the skins.
Serve lightly chilled to enhance the freshness and tang that enhance the fruitiness. Enjoy with salads, cured meats and seafood.
Drink now or cellar until 2011.
Contains preservative 220. Contains 7.9 standard drinks per bottle.
13.3% Alc, 750ml
Wine of New Zealand