Smith & Co, FDR

FDR stands for Fine Dry Red, an old British wine trade term for the traditional claret wines of Bordeaux. We think it really translates to freakingly drinkable red! A Gimblett Gravels wine no less.

This is the family label of Steve Smith MW and is run by his amazingly tolerant wife Laura. Due to his extensive time in the NZ industry Steve has gathered contacts that allow him to source great grape material for these wines. For the more observant of you the blend of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Tempranillo which is an unusual blend in the Gravels. Tempranillo is being used here instead of Merlot to add the body and plushness of the wine.

This is a classic wine, not overly flamboyant but refined and elegant with some gravelly texture adding that little bit of interest.

Fruit

Acid

Tannin

Alcohol

Body

About This Wine

Country
NZ
Region
Hawke’s Bay
Appellation
Alluvial Plains
Type
Red
Varietal
Blend
Soils
Flat alluvial soils, gravel
Farming
Sustainable farming
Closure
Screw Cap
Alcohol
13%
Pairing
Bavette best cooked on the rare side with new potatoes and fresh horseradish

Learn more about this wines origin

Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is my home region so I obviously have a natural bias for this amazing region for food and wine. Historically known as the food basket of New Zealand it is also New Zealand’s oldest wine region with wineries dating back to the 1950s. It is also the second-largest wine region in the country…