Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2019

Description

• French oak
• Boysenberry & plum
• Earth & spice notes
• Silky smooth tannins

"A blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Malbec from the Gimblett Gravels. Fermented in stainless steel with gentle cap management and aged in oak barrels which included 30% new French oak. Deep ruby with a purple hue. The aromas on this wine are incredibly interesting, a blend of dark and red fruits, layers of oak derived and baking spices and a dash of cassis. The palate is bursting with ripe fruit, the spice hits next along with a splash of acidity and delicate, grainy tannins. Drink now or in the next 3-4 years, perfect with antipasto boards or roast lamb" Angie Atkinson, The Wine Writer

Immediately warm and appetizing, this deliciously harmonious blend of two classical Bordeaux varieties showcases boysenberry and plum fruits, complemented with spicy leather, and earthy musky violets and silky smooth tannins. Ready for immediate enjoyment or to reward cellaring.

This fine wine is an appealing blend of the classic Bordeaux varieties, Merlot (79%) and Malbec (21%). Crafted from grapes grown in the highly acclaimed Gimblett Gravels wine growing district, they were harvested in optimum condition on April 9th at 22.2 Brix.

The grapes were gently crushed, cold-soaked for two days before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with gentle daily cap management to extract colour, flavour and fine tannin structure.  A post-ferment maceration followed over eleven days.  The skins were then pressed off and the wine aged for sixteen months in quality oak barrels (30% of which was French new oak), undergoing one racking during this time. The final wine was blended on 8th September and lightly fined before bottling on 29th October 2020 under screwcap.

Food Pairing: An excellent choice with lamb or pork dishes.