Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot
Vintage:
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86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc
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Cool and dry
| Brix: |
23 average |
| Production level: |
60 hl/ha |
| Hand harvested: |
30% |
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| Whole bunch: |
0% |
| Destemmed: |
100% |
| Fermentation vessel: |
Stainless steel tanks |
| Fermentation: |
Inoculated |
| Barrel type: |
French oak barriques |
| New barrel %: |
28% |
| Maturation: |
13 months |
| Fining: |
Yes |
| Filtration: |
Yes |
| Bottled: |
Dec-11 |
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WINE ANALYSIS
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|
| Alcohol: |
13.5 |
| Residual sugar: |
Nil |
| pH: |
3.70 |
| Acidity: |
5.6g/l |
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The first hint is of wild thyme, dried sage and star anise which then opens up to the base notes of dark plum and spicy currants. Paradoxically the medium weight palate is energetic and silken, with the focus firmly on fruit purity. These characters persist on the lithe, balanced and layered palate and finish on the aromatic high notes of spice and herbs.
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Recommended cellaring: 7-10 years from vintage
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Date: June 2012
Publication: Winestate
4½ Stars
“Stylish, estate-grown Hawke’s Bay blend. Deeply coloured and full-bodied, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing good concentration, hints of coffee and dark chocolate, and obvious potential.”
- Michael Cooper
Date: June 2012
Publication: Metro Magazine
Top 100 wines for winter
“Super-ripe fruit, plum jam and summer pudding with currant, chocolate and confectionery secondary characteristics. Intense and syrupy in the mouth: a solid wine that needs food to show it at its best.”
- Paul Tudor MW
Date: March 2012
Publication: www.wineorbit.co.nz
93 Points, 5 Stars
“This is a restrained beauty, needing time to open up. The bouquet is superbly ripe and elegantly perfumed with blue/blackberry, dark plum, cedar and a hint of dried herb notes. It's succulent and focused on the palate with a beautifully weighted mid palate and a flowing mouthfeel, leading to an impressively long finish. Tannins are supple and beautifully melded. One to watch.”
- Sam Kim
Date: March 2012
Publication: www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
18½ Points, 5 Stars
“Full, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour. Aromas of savoury dark plums, red berry fruit with dried herb and tobacco notes gently fill the bouquet and build with intensity. Medium-full bodied, this has flavours of ripe dark plums with notes of liquorice and spices, the palate with a fleshiness. Oaking is discreet and very subtle. Very fine tannins and balanced acidity add tension and energy and add to the sweetness and richness of the fruit. The wine has a moderately long finish with detailed nuances of plums and dark berry fruits. This is a medium-bodied Merlot with balance and proportion, and the fine tannins to enable 6-8 years cellaring. Match with roasted and grilled red meat dishes, or hard cheeses.”
- Raymond Chan
Our Gimblett Gravels Merlot is carefully selected from the 22 parcels of Merlot in our Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, individually fermented and crafted, then blended with a seasoning of the two Cabernets and Malbec.
The warm, gravelly soils are perfect for the production of Merlot and the moderate heat allows the wine to retain freshness and structure without showing over-ripe characters.
The result is a rich, ripe wine with ample ‘dusty’ tannins and a lush, warm texture similar to other wines made in the area.