Obliix Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022

Description

Cherry, Oak, Spice

"Deep ruby-red, youthful, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is attractive, packed with aromas of cassis, blackberry, mint, cedar and spices. Full-bodied, aromas of cassis and blackberry show purity, entwined with mint, cedar, nutmeg and cloves. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide structure to the succulent fruit, reflecting the mineral-rich soils and lending a sustained finish" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Review, Apr 2024

"A distinctive bouquet and palate filled with flavours of blackberry fruits and boysenberry, dark plums, chocolate and smoky barrel spices. Firm and dry on the palate with plenty of tannins and acidity to tame with time, flavours of blackberry fruits, iron sand, wood smoke and violets. There’s a leesy layer that needs time to integrate along with the crumbled chalky tannins. The flavours and textures are strong with some core concentration, so this is a wine that will show the benefits of cellaring. Best drinking from 2025 through 2031+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jan 2024

"Brightly fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, raspberry, violet and thyme aromas with a hint of toasted nuts. The palate displays succulent fruit flavours with supple texture and polished tannins, finishing juicy and lingering. Delightfully composed and elegantly expressed. At its best: now to 2030" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2023

"Offering great drinkability, this medium-bodied red is fresh and energetic, with blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours. It shows considerable complexity, and has very good depth and harmony" Michael Cooper, Nov 2023

This wine was made with the idea of an early release without sacrificing complexity. Indulge in the rich flavours of this Cabernet Sauvignon blend, where dark cherry and chocolate notes take centre stage with layers of ripe fruit and a touch of spice. 

Cornerstone Vineyard – Gimblett Gravels  (100%). Like all vineyards on the Gimblett Gravels, the vines sit on free-draining soils – dubbed Omahu soils - left over from the 1867 flooding of the Ngaruroro River. The wines produced from this area are rich in complexity and flavours.  The Cornerstone vineyard is the jewel in the crown (well we think so) producing wines of such exquisite structure and longevity.

2022 was a complicated vintage therefore winemakers and viticulturists drew from their years of experience working closely with one another, watching the weather forecasts continuously throughout the day,  to ensure picking scheduling was exact, maximising the sun and balancing with the fruit ripening.

Fifty percent of the wines were fermented naturally which added to the complexity of the palate structure. All wines were aerated at the beginning of their ferments to ensure robust yeast populations before they went into their anaerobic stage.  Once dry the wines were pressed off and racked into barrel where they underwent natural malolactic fermentation in Spring. Just prior to the new harvest, the wines were blended and bottled.

Food Pairing: This wine pairs beautifully with hearty dishes like grilled steak or rich pasta. To be enjoyed immediately and for several years, this wine will hold its own amongst older relatives.