Squawking Magpie 2013 ‘Platinum’ Merlot, Cabernets and Syrah

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Squawking Magpie ‘Platinum’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2013
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 28-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour, very youthful in appearance. The nose is beautifully refined with fragrant, aromatic notes of black and dark-red plums with black berried fruits and subtle notes of dark herbs, the nose unfolding iron-earth elements, a steely freshness, revealing gentle, lifted, spicy oak. Full bodied, the palate is rich and sweetly concentrated with intense fruit flavours of ripe black plums and blackberry fruit, along with plum and liquorice elements, unveiling spices and sweetly aromatic and nutty oak. The flavours open to show dark herbs entwined with iron-earth complexities. The fruit is supported by considerable structure, the tannins fine-grained and powdery. The flavours carry to a long and sustained finish, blossoming in richness. This is a full, richly concentrated Merlot blend with layers of ripe black fruits with plum and liquorice, spices and iron-earth complexities. Match with roasted lamb, beef and venison dishes over the next 10-12+ years. A blend of 86% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc, from the estate vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 24 months in 30% new oak. 300 bottles made. 19.5/20 Oct 2017 RRP $100.00
• Squawking Magpie ‘Platinum’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernets 2013
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 28-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, near impenetrable black-red colour with a slightly lighter edge with purple hues. The nose is very tightly bound and concentrated with a firm and intensely packed core of ripe blackberry fruit with black plums and blackcurrants. The nose is refined in expression and has richness with poise, showing a steely, mineral edge. This is still taut and unyielding, but aeration releases a refined layering of blackcurrants and cassis. Full-bodied, the palate has rich, concentrated and intense flavours of ripe blackcurrant fruit with blackberries and cassis liqueur, fine aromatic herbs and subtle iron-earth elements. The mouthfeel is beautifully vibrant and bright, and grows in richness, freshness and energy. The palate possesses very fine-grained tannin extraction, the structure refined, but with considerable grip and texture. The acidity lends lovely vitality and tension, and the wine carries to a very long, powerful finish of blackcurrants, blackberries and cassis. This is a very rich and tightly bound, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon blend with vibrant blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, and refined tannin grip and structure, and great length. Match with grilled and roasted lamb or beef dishes over the next 10-15+ years. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc from estate vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 24 months in 35% new oak. 300 bottles made. 19.5+/20 Oct 2017 RRP $100.00
• Squawking Magpie ‘Platinum’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 28-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, impenetrable black-red colour, with purple hues on the edge. The nose is very tightly bound and concentrated with restrained aromas of ripe blackberry fruit with hints of dark raspberries and violet florals, with spices and liquorice notes entwined with steely minerals and iron-earth elements. The concentration of the fruit is remarkable. Full-bodied, the palate is taut and densely packed with ripe flavours of blackberries, black plums, Asian spices and liquorice, with suggestion of violet and black florals. The flavours are tightly bound and yet to emerge fully. The fruit has lovely richness and plenty of underlying energy and vibrancy, revealing lifted oak and iron-earth and mineral detail. The fruit richness is balanced by considerable fine-grained, flowery tannin extraction, and the wine flows with power and linearity to a very long, sustained finish of spices and liquorice. This is a very taut and youthfully bound Syrah with deeply concentrated ripe blackberry fruit with spicy plum and liquorice layers on a bright, very fine-grained and structured palate with power and line, and a long, sustained finish. Match with slow-cooked game meats over the next 10-15 years. 100% Syrah from estate vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, fully destemmed and fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 24 months in 35% new oak. 300 bottles made. 19.5/20 Oct 2017 RRP $100.00