This deeply coloured wine displays perfumed aromas of dark berry fruits, violets and dried herbs with complexing oak spice characters. A smooth and approachable palate follows with sweet fruit, supple tannins and moreish acidity.

The 2017 Hawkes Bay vintage was a season of two halves with very warm dry conditions prevailing for the majority of summer, including the driest recorded January in over 50+ years. Harvest commenced in early March but would come under intense weather pressure from there on and the focus became pushing ripening as far as possible without losing fruit condition.

The fruit for this wine was destemmed and crushed to fermenters. Inoculated with several strains of yeast and fermented at 30 degrees C. Post fermentation the wine was pressed to oak barrel, 15% new, for 12 months maturation. Blended, egg white fined and filtered to bottle.

Food Pairing: Merlot-Cabernet blends are particularly good when paired with robust, full flavoured dishes, red meat and cheeses. Drink now or hold for up to 5-8 years when the wine will develop further complexity.