Winemaker Notes
-Wine Advocate
The grapes for this fine wine were selected from our two Gimblett Gravels vineyards located in the stony soils and warmer inland area of Hawkes Bay, with an enviable reputation for producing some of New Zealand's finest Bordeaux reds. The two varieties comprising this blend, Merlot and Malbec, were harvested in several parcels during mid-April at ideal ripeness and flavour profile.The grapes were destemmed and tank fermented, followed by full malolactic fermentation and seperate aging of each parcel in one and two year old oak barriques for twelve months, with regular lees stirring for enhanced complexity. Selected parcels were then carefully blended to achieve a seamless style with optimal aroma and palate expression (51% Merlot, 49% Malbec).
This darkly coloured red offers intense and fragrant aromas of violets, luscious plum, blackcurrant and blackberry, beautifully integrated with toffee and forest floor undertones. Concentrated flavours entice the palate with a medley of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry fruits, complemented with a silky smooth texture, fine tannins and finely balanced oak seasoning. The length is long and lingering with a gentle dry finish.
Professional Ratings
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
An eclectic region on the east coast of the North Island, Hawkes Bay extends from wide, fertile, coastal plains, inland, to the coast range, whose peaks reach as high as 5,300 feet. While the flatter areas were historically more popular because they are easier to cultivate, their alluvial soils can be too fertile for vines. In the late 20th century, the drive for quality led growers to the hills where soils are free-draining, limestone-rich and more suited to producing high quality wines.
Over the passing of time, the old Ngaruroro River laid down deep, gravelly beds, which were subsequently exposed after a huge flood in the 1860’s. In the 1980s growers identified this stretch, which continues for approximately 800 ha, and named it the Gimblett Gravels. The zone has proven to be ideal for the production of excellent red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
Today the area takes well-earned recognition for its Bordeaux blends and other reds. Expressive of intense stewed red and black berry with gentle herbaceous characters, Gimblett Gravels wines are suggestive of their cool climate origin, and on par with other top-notch Bordeaux blends around the globe.
Chardonnay is the top white grape in Hawkes Bay, making elegant wines, strong in stone fruit character. Sauvignon blanc comes in close behind, notable for its tropical, fruit forward qualities.