Haha 2017 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay and Merlot

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Haha Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 04-Apr-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant straw-yellow colour with pale lemon-gold hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full with moderately deep and well-packed aromas of yellow stonefruits entwined with subtle notes of creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak elements. The aromatics retain a degree of freshness and steeliness to the expression. Medium-bodied, the palate has softly rich, mouthfilling flavours of yellow stonefruits layered with complexing mealy detail, subtle creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak. The palate has excellent presence and weight, with a soft, fulsome core and integrated acidity. The flavours carry to a full, sustained finish. This is a softly full and mouthfilling Chardonnay with plenty of presence of stonefruit flavours along with mealy, barrel-ferment and nutty detail. Match with roasted poultry and pork over the next 3+ years. Mendoza and clone 6 fruit from coastal vineyards, indigenous yeast fermented, 22% in French oak barriques to 13.0% alc., the wine undergoing 100% MLF. Winemaker: Chris Harrison. 17.5/20 Apr 2018 RRP $17.95
• Haha Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 04-Apr-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, dark ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the edge and youthful in appearance. The nose is moderately firm and packed with aromas of dark-red berry fruit entwined with dark herbal notes along with hints of stalks and spices. Medium-bodied, the palate has bright and lively flavours of red berry fruit along with fresh and dark herbs, and nuances of stalks intermixed with spices and notes of earth. The fruit has some richness and is enlivened by fresh acidity and underlined by light, supple tannins. The mouthfeel has energy and vigour, and carries to a brisk finish of red fruits and herbs. This is a lively Merlot with freshness and energy, showing red berry fruits along with herb, stalk and earthy elements, and balancing grip. Serve with Mediterranean fare over the next 3 years. A blend of 95% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec from elevated terrace sites, fermented to 13.0% alc., 50% of the wine aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker: Emma Lowe. 16.5-/20 Apr 2018 RRP $17.95