• French oak
• Blueberry
• Chocolate
• Refined tannins

This superior wine is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot crafted from ultra-premium grapes grown on our Mere Road vineyard in the famed Gimblett Gravels. Full bodied, it bursts with notes of black fruit, blueberry, plum, chocolate, and cassis on a bed of lovely refined tannins, yielding a distinguished silky smooth wine.

The grapes for this generous single vineyard wine were exclusively sourced from low yielding vines in the prestigious Gimblett Gravel region of Hawkes Bay. The 2018 growing season experienced ideal weather conditions, steady hot days and moderate-cool nights allowed for perfect ripening conditions for harvesting in excellent condition.

Picking began on 23 March for the Merlot, with the Cabernet enjoying a longer hang time coming into the winery on 10th April. The grapes were then gently crushed, whilst also allowing some whole berries to remain intact. The must was transferred into open-top stainless steel tanks for a cold soak of average three days duration.  The Merlot was inoculated with specific selected yeast, while the Cabernet was allowed a natural ferment. Each batch underwent daily rummaging for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction. An extended post ferment soak occurred before being sent to barrel in 100% quality French oak hogsheads, with one racking during élevage.

The final blend was composed of a barrel selection (63% new) resulting in a wine with perfect balance and harmony. The wine is un-fined and only gently coarse filtered to preserve the wines full natural complexity, structure and flavour profile. Bottling took place on 10th September 2019 under screwcap closure.