Marlborough Sun Merlot 2020

Description

• American & French oak
• Ripe berry fruit
• Savoury spice
• Fine tannins

"Aromas of fresh red plums and black cherry, there’s an earthy clay and stone layer with a fresh violet and wood scents of vanilla. Quite lovely on the palate - moderately weight with a core of plum, tart cherry and ripe berry flavours laced with wood tones and a touch of mineral earth. Easy tannins with a crisp acid line. Well made and ready to drink from late 2022 through 2026" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

"Pristine and brightly expressed on the nose with sweet plum, cherry, subtle spice and floral aromas, leading to a gently weighted palate offering juicy flavours with smooth texture and an elegant silky finish. At its best: now to 2024" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2022

Aromatic with ripe blackcurrants, plums and savoury spices. Full bodied with layers of ripe berry fruits and delicate smoky oak notes. A rich structure with fine tannin and a touch of spice on the finish. Excellent drinking now, this wine will continue to develop over the next five years.

The fruit was harvested from a specifically chosen, naturally low cropping vineyard in Marlborough’s Rapaura subregion. Stoney, free draining soils and a warm Summer ensured these grapes reached full ripeness. The fruit was cold soaked for four days to maximise flavour and colour extraction.

The juice was innoculated with a specialized yeast strain to complete fermentation and then hand plunged and pumped over to extract tannin, colour and flavour. Aged with seasoned French and American oak, it underwent malolactic fermentation and ageing on lees. Once ready, the wine was then blended, lightly fined and carefully prepared for bottling.