Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021

Description

Floral, Plum, Spice

This densley coloured Gimblett Gravels red blend displays layers of dark berries and black doris plum, mingling with floral and spice nuances. The palate is rich and concentrated with a generous mid-palate framed by finely textured tannin and integrated oak. While a little shy in its youth, this wine will open up and gain complexity from careful cellaring.

2021 rounded out a trio of outstanding Hawke's Bay red wine vintages. Early season rainfall and heat enabled healthy vines to get established then cooler but dry weather in January and February ensured natural acidity and freshness was retained in the grapes. A settled harvest period allowed the fruit to be harvested in great condition with good ripeness. 

Grown entirely in the Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke's Bay, our vineyards within this sub-region contributed parcels of exceptional fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from 2 blocks within our Vidal and Ngakirikiri vineyards and the Merlot is grown on our Omahu Gravels and Te Awa vineyards. The free-draining soils of these sites help ensure balanced fruit and canopy growth, contributing ripe flavours and tannin development. Yields are kept low allowing vines to produce fruit that is richly concentrated in colour, flavour and structure.