Tasting Note:
Deep crimson colour with aromatic floral aromas of violet and rose intermingled with black pepper, spice and dark fruits. Showing complexity, purity of fruit and depth of flavour on the palate, this wine is elegant, well balanced and exhibits supple tannins and a long, concentrated finish. Well suited to a wide range of red meats in particular beef, venison and game.
Ideal drinking:
This wine will develop for at least 10-12 years from vintage date if cellared in optimal conditions.
Winemakers Comment:
Grapes were sourced from our Twyford and Omahu Gravel Vineyards. The grapes were destemmed into open fermenters with approximately 30% of the grapes left un-crushed to maximise delicate fruit aromas. Prior to fermentation the grapes were cold soaked, with the ferment initiated using indigenous yeasts. The must was gently hand plunged to extract soft and supple tannins. Once ferment was fully underway the action was more dynamic to encourage the extraction of tannins that would provide structure and backbone to the finished blend. The wine was then pressed off and run to barrel where it completed malolactic fermentation. The wine rested for 19 months in French oak barriques before a light egg-white fining and bottling.
Awards & Accolades:
- Gold - Liquorland Wine Competition 2010
- Elite Gold – Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2008 (New Zealand)
- Double-Gold – Tri Nations Wine Challenge 2009 (Australia)
- Gold – Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2008 & 2010 (New Zealand)
- Gold – Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2009 (New Zealand)
- Gold – Hawkes Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards 2008 (New Zealand)
- 4 ½ stars and potential Classic – Michael Cooper’s Buyers Guide
- 96/100 – Bob Campbell MW
- 92 points- Wine Advocate
- Silver (Best in Class) – International Wine & Spirit Challenge 2008 (United Kingdom)
- Silver – Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2009 (United Kingdom)