Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Franc 2019

Description

Oak, Raspberry, Spice

This intensely floral Gimblett Gravels wine shows great complexity of character with concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and spice flavours. With ripe supple tannins and finely integrated French oak seasoning the wine is deliciously long and persistent. It will acquire even greater depth with judicious cellaring.

The grapes for this generous single vineyard wine were exclusively sourced from low yielding vines in the prestigious Gimblett Gravel region of Hawke’s Bay. The 2019 growing season experienced ideal weather conditions. Steady hot days and moderate-cool nights allowed for perfect ripening conditions for harvesting in excellent condition and flavour profile.

The grapes were gently crushed, allowing some whole berries to remain intact, with the resulting must then transferred into open-top fermenters for a 3-day cold soak. A specific selected yeast and partial natural yeast allowed fermentation to proceed. The cap was twice daily hand plunged for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction. This was followed by an extended post ferment soak before being sent to French oak barrels (35% new) for 17 months. A gentle fining and filtration preceded bottling on the 1st November 2021.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with a Filet Mignon or Meugez sausage.