The boquet is elegant, brimming with notes of cigar box, dark chocolate, dried fruit and Christmas cake spice. The palate is rich and flavoursome with firm tannins and a fine acidity.

Marlborough experienced a mild-to-cool spring period, which ensured that the vines naturally produced lighter than average yields. These mild temperatures then extended into the summer months, coupled with an unseasonal period of rain, which ultimately alleviated the drought conditions we had experienced over the past two years. Conditions over the flowering period were stable, creating nice even crop levels in the vineyards which translated into wines with great concentration and texture. This low yielding Tempranillo was some of the last fruit to be harvested and was picked in excellent condition, achieving ripe tannins and intense flavour.

Our Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley is exposed to some of the toughest growing conditions in Marlborough; high sunshine and wind, cool nights and
low rainfall which produces a smaller, thicker skinned berry with intense fruit flavours. This wine is a blend of two different blocks on the property - both warm, sheltered areas with consistent soil profiles and relatively flat aspects. The key to growing Tempranillo in the Awatere Valley is very sensitive and thoughtful vineyard management. These vines were cropped to one bunch per shoot and the leaves were removed in the fruiting zone during ripening.

The Tempranillo was handpicked, destemmed and put into a small French oak cuve for ferment. A fast, hot fermentation proceeded with regular hand plunging which helped to craft a wine with elegance and balance. Post primary fermentation, the wine was pressed off and the wine was left to settle for 48hrs. The wine was then racked to two 2nd fill 500L French oak puncheons and a French barrique. The wine aged in oak for 11 months, then blended, stabilised and filtered prior to bottling.Drink now or cellar for 3-5 years.

Food Match: Great with beef or lamb based Moroccan stews, pizzas or hard cheeses such as manchego.

Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free diets.