125 Gimblett Road 2017 Sauvignon Blanc and 2016 Merlot Cabernets

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• 125 Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 14-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with green-gold tints, lighter on the rim. The nose is elegant in proportion with a firm core of gooseberry fruit and green stonefruits with subtle notes of herbs, nettles and cut-grass, unfolding hints of minerals. This is clean and straightforward. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has light but penetrating flavours of gooseberries, fresh herbs and cut-grass. The mouthfeel is crisp and zesty with fresh and slightly elevated acidity, and the wine flows with plenty of energy and tension along a fine-textured line, leading to a lingering finish. This is an uncomplicated Sauvignon Blanc with moderately deep gooseberry, herb and cut-grass flavours on a bright and zesty palate. Serve as an aperitif, with salads and vegetables and seafood over the next 2 years. Fruit from Ruakawa, Porangahau and Mangatahi, cool-fermented in stainless-steel with 15% in French barriques to 12.0% alc., and most of the wine aged 8 months on lees. 16.5-/20 Aug 2018 RRP $22.00 TBC
• 125 Gimblett Road Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernets 2016
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 14-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, even, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on the edge, youthful in appearance. The bouquet is soft and sweetly fragrant with aromas of redcurrants and red plums entwined with subtle notes of fresh and dark herbs, and an amalgam of nutty oak and earthy detail. Medium-bodied, the palate has a soft but well-packed core of redcurrant fruit with red floral notes, fresh and dark herbs, unfolding hnts of plums and earth. The flavours are up-front and the mouthfeel is bright and lively with fresh acidity. The fruit is underlined by a light, grainy-textured structure, the tannins carrying the wine to a light, dry finish. This is a sweet and fragrant Merlot blend with redcurrant and plum fruit along with herb notes on a lively palate with grainy grip. Serve with Mediterranean fare and grilled or barbecued red meats over the next 3 years. A blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc from the Gimblett Gravels, fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 15 months in French oak barriques and tank. 16.5/20 Aug 2018 RRP $22.00 TBC