Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke's Bay Merlot Cabernet 2021

Description

Cherry, Oak, Plum

"Moderately intense red with dominant merlot contributing plum, dark berry and a reasonably accessible structure while cabernet gives the wine a cedar and green olive character. Should age well" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, The Real Review, Dec 2023

Aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and plump plum, complimented by delicate hints of blackcurrant and toasted oak. The palate is full bodied with luscious dark fruit flavours and silky-smooth tannins creating an elegant finesse.

The grapes for this wine were harvested and transported to our Riverview winery.  The fruit was gently crushed into open top fermenters and inoculated for fermentation.  Caps management was by pumping over.  Following fermentation and a short period of extended maceration, the wine was transferred to barrel for approximately 16 months maturation.  The wine was then racked out of barrel and transferred to our Katikati winery for finishing and bottling in August 2023.

Food Pairing: This wine is drinking well now but will reward cellaring for up to eight years.