Alana Estate Martinborough Merlot 2021

Description

• French oak
• Red plum
• Thyme
• Supple & smooth

"It's fruit forward and nicely lifted on the nose showing red plum, cherry, floral, thyme and almond notes, leading to a juicy palate offering gentle weight and supple mouthfeel. Friendly and smooth with an elegant dry finish. At its best: now to 2025" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2022

The fruit for this wine came from a vineyard situated in the Bridge Pa area, and is a prime example of the style produced from the stony soils of Hawke’s Bay.

The fruit was destemmed to closed fermenters. Cold soaking took place before fermentation which  lasted approximately 10 days with regular pump overs to optimize extraction of colour, flavour, and tannin. Daily assessment of flavour was assessed and the wine was pressed when maximum flavour was achieved. Maturation took place in French oak barriques for 7 months, before the wine was filtered in late February and bottled in early March.