River Delta Marlborough Merlot 2020

Description

Blackcurrant, Cherry, Oak

"Brightly expressed and nicely fragrant, the wine shows Black Doris plum, floral, clove and almond characters on the nose. It's equally charming on the palate, offering elegant weight and rounded mouthfeel, making it succulent and attractively drinkable" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

An inviting palate of ripe red berries and smokey oak notes adding to a rich and flavoursome finish. Fresh aromas of blackcurrant, red plums and subtle spices on the nose.

This fruit was sourced from a naturally low cropping site in Marlborough's Rapaura sub-region. Stony free draining soils and warm summers ensure these grapes reach full ripeness and maturity prior to selection. 

The grapes were harvested in the cool of the morning at optimum flavour maturity. Each vineyard parcel was held cool for five days prior to fermentation. Selected yeast strains were used for the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the must was hand plunged six to eight times daily. Once malolactic fermentation was completed the wine was lightly fined and prepared for the bottling.

Vegetarian friendly.

Drinking excellently from bottling and will continue to develop for enjoyment over five years from bottling.

Food Pairing: It is well matched with Moroccan lamb tagine or spiced salmon fillets.