Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels 2015 Chardonnay and 2014 Te Kahu, Merlot and Syrah

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Craggy Range ‘Gimblett Gravels Vineyard’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Mar-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, pale on rim. The nose is softly full and harmoniously concentrated with aromas of white stonefruits entwined with subtle layers of mealy and nutty oak, and flinty minerals, along with suggestions of lemon-curd MLF elements. Medium-bodied, the palate features soft, concentrated flavours of white stonefruits with creamy and nutty barrel-ferment notes balanced by fine phenolic textures and integrated, piquant acidity providing a driven line. The wine unfolds gunflint, smoke and lemon-curd MLF detail which is carried to a long, lingering, finely concentrated finish. This is an elegant, softly concentrated and finely textured Chardonnay with white stonefruit flavours and layers of nutty and flinty interest. Serve with seafood, poultry and pork over the next 4-5 years. Hand-picked fruit, WBP and indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.4% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 28% new French oak barriques with 100% MLF. 18.5/20 Mar 2016 RRP $31.95
• Craggy Range ‘Te Kahu’ ‘Gimblett Gravels Vineyard’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Cabernet Franc 2014
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 08-Jul-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, black-hued ruby-red with slight purple hues, a little lighter on the edge. This has an elegantly presented nose with penetrating and fragrant aromas of ripe black plums melded harmoniously with blackcurrants and blackberries, with fragrant cassis and lifted oak. This has purity and very good intensity. Medium-full bodied, the wine has a bright and vibrant, elegantly proportioned palate with intense and concentrated flavours of blackcurrants and blackberries with black plum and cassis notes. The mouthfeel possesses a lovely vitality with fresh acidity, and the fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin structure. The wine has excellent linearity and carries to a long, lingering finish of blackberries, blackcurrants and herbal notes. This is a vibrant Merlot-based blend black plum and berry flavours along with cassis and herbs on a lively, fresh palate with fine-grained tannin structure. Match with roasted lamb and beef over the next 7-9+ years. A blend of 68% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc fermented to 13.2% alc., the wine aged 17 months in 28% new French oak barriques. 18.5+/20 Jul 2017 RRP $30.00 A blend of 68% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc fermented to 13.2% alc., the wine aged 17 months in 28% new French oak barriques. Dark, deep, near impenetrable, purple-hued black-red colour with youthful purple hues on the rim. The nose is fresh with deeply packed and harmoniously interwoven aromas of ripe black and dark-red plums, blackcurrants, cassis liqueur, and soft nuances of dark herbs, tobacco and spice elements. Medium-bodied, the palate features plush and juicy, ripe flavours of dark-red plums and cassis melded seamlessly with herbs and tobacco to form a softly concentrated core. The mouthfeel is bright and energetic from lacy acidity and the palate is balanced by supple tannin extraction and structure. The flavours carry to a softly concentrated, lingering finish of black plums, currants and tobacco. This is a plush and juicy Merlot/Cabernet blend with dark plum, cassis and tobacco flavours and a supple, balanced mouthfeel. Match with roast lamb and beef over the next 5-6+ years. 18.5-/20 Mar 2016 RRP $27.95
• Craggy Range ‘Gimblett Gravels Vineyard’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 24-Mar-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim, and youthful in appearance. This has a well-packed and densely concentrated nose of vibrantly aromatic dark red and black plums layered with dark redcurrant and fresh herbal nuances, lifted by dark red florals. Medium-bodied, deep and concentrated, softly rich and ripe flavours of dark plums, currants and herbs form a juicy and sweet core. The mouthfeel is enlivened by bright, ripe acidity and the wine follows a supple line with fine-grained tannins. The wine is very well-balanced with textural linearity and vitality, and carries to a finely concentrated, lingering finish of plums and redcurrants. This is a rich, ripe, plummy Merlot with soft redcurrant notes and a concentrated, but supple palate. Match with lamb, beef, venison and Mediterranean fare over the next 6-7+ years. A blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc fermented to 13.4% alc., the wine aged 17 months in 27% new French oak barriques. 18.5+/20 Mar 2016 RRP $31.95
• Craggy Range ‘Gimblett Gravels Vineyard’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 08-Jul-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, very dark, deep, impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour. The nose is very refined and elegantly proportioned but gently and softly voluminous with fragrant aromas showing blackberry and dark raspberry fruit with black plums, violet florals, unveiling a dark herbal lift. This is aromatic and exudes finesse, growing in penetration with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate is deliciously juicy and sweet with plush, vibrant and intensely concentrated flavours of ripe blackberry, black plum and dark raspberry fruit. The fruit is lifted by violet florals and unfolds notes of liquorice and spices, and is enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity. The palate is guided by very fine-grained tannins providing structure, sinewy grip and linearity, and the wine carries to a long, fragrant finish of black fruits, spices and florals. This is a juicy and succulent, refined Syrah with plush, vibrant and aromatic fruit with a fresh mouthfeel and fine tannin extraction. Match with lamb and beef, and with Middle Eastern fare over the next 7-9+ years. Hand-picked fruit from the ‘Gimblett Gravels’ vineyard, fermented with 10% whole bunches to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 16 months in 26% new French oak barriques. 19.0/20 Jul 2017 RRP $36.00 Full, near saturated, purple-hued black-red colour. The nose features a concentrated core of ripe black berried fruits with nuances of black plums, tar and blue fruits, along with subtle black pepper, whole bunch herb, spice and liquorice detail. Medium-full bodied, the palate is sweetly full with deep and finely concentrated flavours of ripe black berries and plums, blue fruits, unfolding notes of black pepper, spices, herbs and violet florals. The fruit is supported by very fine-grained, flowery tannin extraction and integrated acidity lending good linearity. The wine leads to an elegant, lingering finish with nuances of black fruits, spices and pepper. This is a concentrated, sweetly ripe Syrah with black and blue fruits, and a very fine-grained structure. Match with Middle Eastern fare, venison and game over the next 6-7+ years. Syrah fruit fermented with 10% whole bunches to 14.0% alc., he wine aged 16 months in 26% new French oak barriques. 18.5/20 Mar 2016 RRP $31.95