Esk Valley Artisanal Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay Grenache 2021

Description

Floral, Oak, Raspberry

"A wonderful rendition of the variety showing Black Doris plum, blueberry, thyme and subtle game characters on the nose. The palate is equally attractive with succulent fruit flavours together with silky texture and fine tannins, finishing velvety and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2022

"Youthful, fruity and varietal with aromas of plums and cherries then red flowers and baking spices of oak adding a light nut or walnut quality. Crisp and dry with youthful firm tannins, moderate oak with a touch of spice, fine toasty quality and medium+ acid line. Flavours of red berries and tart cherry, plum and cranberry fill the palate with flavour. Well made, quite youthful still so best drinking from 2023 through 2029+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jul 2022

This is New Zealand's only bottling of Grenache. From a small parcel of vines of just 0.84 hectares, this rare wine showcases the suitability of this variety to the warmest of Hawkes Bay sites. Light in colour but big on personality this is a heady and satisfying wine. With aromas and flavours of dried rose petal, red berries, liquorice and a faint herbal note, it is a full bodied, exotic wine.

Planted in the deep stony soils of the Gimblett Gravels, these vines are evidence of Grenache's potential in Hawkes Bay. Planted as an experiment in 1996 these 2,600 vines occupy 0.84 hectare in the Ngakirikiri Vineyard. The 2021 harvest is highly regarded and allowed us to pick our Grenache late in the season in perfect condition. Low yields and attention to detail in the vineyard are essential to the success of this variety.

The fruit was picked at 24.9 brix on the 28th March 2021. It was destemmed on arrival at the winery and transferred to an open topped tank for fermentation. Colour and tannin extraction was conducted gently with hand plunging before being pressed to barrel for malo-lactic fermentation and subsequent ageing. The wine was assembled in tank in May 2022 and bottled in June 2022.