Merlot Cabernet 2021

99/100 ★★★★★

A compelling rendition of Bordeaux-style red, the enticing bouquet shows blackcurrant, tobacco, rich floral, cedar and mixed spice aromas. It's equally gratifying on the palate with exceptional weight and persistency, wonderfully framed by finely infused tannins. This is engaging with power and finesse, combined with a wave of delectable flavours, finishing robust and sophisticated. At its best: 2027 to 2041.

- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

96/100 ★★★★★

A complex and enticing bouquet of complexity and enchantment, varietal signatures and purity of fruit. Plums and dark chocolate, blackberries and barrel spices, violets and lees. There’s a lovely palate squeeze as the wine engages the senses, firm tannins and acidity frame the fruit, adding poise and a youthful tautness. With each sip the wine develops more complexity and charm, length and enjoyment. Best drinking from 2028 through 2038+.

- Cameron Douglas, MS

96/100 ★★★★★

Merlot introduces a luscious richness with cabernet sauvignon contributing structure and authority. The net result is a a nicely layered wine that offers drinkability and the potential to age with dignity. A mix of dark berry, fresh herbs and vanilla.

- Bob Campbell, The Real Review

Three vineyards from the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels were the source of the fruit for this Merlot Cabernet blend. The sites have in common, low yields, old vines, open canopy management, managed irrigation and Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand accreditation. These free draining sites ripen Merlot first and then Cabernet, producing balanced acidity and weight of fruit which is impressive. A combination of rich, berry fruits from Bridge Pa Merlot and spicy Gimblett Gravels Merlot, produce a complex range of primary fruit. Cabernet has strength, structure and blackcurrant notes which provide perfect synergy.

Hand picked fruit is chilled overnight followed by early morning hand sorting, de-stemming and collecting whole berries for the open fermenters. Some foot stomping across ferments provides lovely release of fresh juice great for cold soaking. Some whole bunches incorporated with the Merlot parcels, accentuating fresh, lifted fruits. As ambient temperature is reached from cold soaking, the indigenous yeast initiate fermentation. We pump over twice a day at cool temperatures, capturing gentle tannin extraction and floral fruit notes. Cultured yeast complete the fermentation to dryness, which is followed by pressing and transfer to new and 1 year old French oak barriques. Approximately 20 months barrel maturation with regular racking completes the process. Blended in December 2021 and bottled January 2022, the blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

A blend that exhibits the boldness and power of Cabernet supported by plush velvety Merlot.

Lifted and intense aromatics of wild herbs and lavender. Generosity of dark cherry and black dorris plum. Fine-grained tannins and seamlessly integrated oak giving balance and structure. Full bodied yet elegant and understated wine that is drinking well currently and will reveal new layers over time.