Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 22-Sep-2022
Deep, dense ruby-red, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is enticing, complex, and gently full, with penetrating aromas of cassis, blackberry and young plum entwined with blackcurrant leaf, tobacco leaf, cedar, violet, vanilla and nutmeg. Full-bodied, elegant aromas of cassis, blackberry and red plum form a tenacious core, unveiling blackcurrant leaf, menthol, violet, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, nutmeg and clove. The wine is complex; multilayers of flavour unfold as it aerates. The fruit is perfume, with an excellent balance of ripeness and concentration. Tightly knitted fine-grained tannin provides structure, vitality and excellent cellaring potential. This is a remarkably vibrant and densely packed Cabernet Merlot blend with complex flavour layers, stylish oak and a structured palate. Match with porterhouse and venison over the next 15+ years. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, fermented to 14% alc, aged 24 months in barrels, 40% in new French oak puncheons. 19+/20 pts (96 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $130
