Mission ‘Estate’ 2015 Rosé, and 2014 and 2013 Reds

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Mission Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015
  Rose from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 21-Aug-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light purple-pink colour with some depth, very youthful in appearance. The nose is fresh and up-front with bright and aromatic fruit aromas of raspberries and cherries, with lifted fermentation esters and confectionary notes. Dryish to taste and medium-bodied, uncomplicated raspberry fruit flavours show with cherry and strawberry elements. The fruit is lifted by floral and confectionary notes. Fresh, lacy acidity lends a mouthwatering crispness and the wine leads to a moderately long finish with delicate redcurrant and fruit pastille nuances. This is a fresh, gently mouthwatering, up-front, dryish rosé with raspberry and lollyish flavours. Serve as an aperitif and with charcuterie over the next 2 years. 50% Merlot, 20% Malbec, the remainder equal portions of Cabernet Franc and Syrah, a portion of the fruit given overnight skin contact, the wine fermented to 12.6% alc. and 6 g/L RS. 16.5/20 Aug 2015 RRP $15.99
• Mission Hawke’ Bay Syrah 2014
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 21-Aug-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from Ohiti Road and the Bridge Pa Triangle, fermented to 13.2% alc., the wine spending 20 days on skins post ferment and aged in tank. Dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, youthful in appearance. This has an elegantly concentrated nose with deep aromas of dark red and black berried fruits, unfolding soft layers of white pepper, red florals, spices and hints of minerally reduction. Medium-bodied, the fruit is initially restrained, but grows in richness and sweetness, showing flavours of dark raspberries, blackberries, white and black pepper, all harmoniously entwined with savoury herbal elements. This has a rounded core, and the mouthfeel is enlivened by fresh acidity. The wine has fine-grained, supple tannins that carry the flavours to a soft finish. This is a juicy Syrah with raspberry and peppery flavours and a supple, but fresh palate. Match with barbecued and grilled red meats over the next 3 years. 16.5+/20 Aug 2015 RRP $15.99
• Mission Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
  Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 21-Aug-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from inland vineyard sites, fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine spending 15 days on skins and oak aged. Very dark, deep, black-hued purple-red colour, very youthful in appearance. The nose is softly presented with full aromas of ripe blackcurrant fruit with nuances of mint, herbs and leaf, along with redcurrants and cassis. Medium-bodied, the flavours of blackcurrants and leaf are tightly bound and finely concentrated, forming a firm core and line. The fruit is carried by the tannin extraction, and brisk and racy acidity. This has good linearity and energy, and the flavours lead to a long, blackcurranty finish with some herbal elements. This is a tight, brisk and racy Cabernet Sauvignon with lively blackcurrant and leafy flavours and a firm line. Serve with barbecued and grilled, herb-marinated beef and lamb dishes over the next 4+ years. 16.0/20 Aug 2015 RRP $15.99
• Mission Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2013
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 21-Aug-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on the rim. The nose is tightly bound and the fruit expression initially restrained, but unfolds to reveal ripe black plum and blackberry fruit notes, with soft iron-earth nuances and spice elements. The aromatics are harmonious and integrated. Medium-full bodied, the fruit flavours of ripe dark red berries and black plums are shy, but show with growing sweetness, richness and depth. The fruit is supported by good tannin structure and soft, ripe acidity, forming a palate core with weight and presence. The wine flows to a light flavoured, but vinous finish. This is a ripe, balanced and structured Merlot with restrained fruit flavours. Match with lamb, beef and venison, and semi hard cheeses over the next 4+ years. Fruit from inland sites including Ohiti Road and Bridge Pa Triangle, fermented to 13.3% alc., the wine spending 7-20 days on skins post ferment, and aged in tank. 16.5-/20 Aug 2015 RRP $15.99
• Mission Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 21-Aug-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from inland sites, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending up to 16 days on skins post ferment and aged in oak. Full, dark, deep ruby-red colour with purple hues, lighter edged. This has an elegantly presented nose with blossoming aromas of ripe dark red and black berried fruit entwined with redcurrants and plum notes. The aromatics are fresh with a piquant vibrancy to the expression. Medium-full bodied, the palate features lively and aromatic fruit flavours of dark red and black berried fruits with plum and herb elements. The fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin extraction and grip, with lively, lacy acidity lending freshness and vitality to the mouthfeel. This has linearity, leading to a bright, refreshing, zesty finish with blackcurrant nuances. This is a bright, lively and well-balanced and structured Merlot/Cabernet blend with blackberry, blackcurrant and plummy flavours. Match with most red meat dishes over the next 5+ years. 17.0/20 Aug 2015 RRP $15.99