Reviews & Awards
Sam Kim: 4.5★ 91 points
This is a lovely Bordeaux blend showing fruit richness backed by an elegant frame. It's ripe and fragrant on the nose displaying dark plum, game, blueberry and cedary oak characters. The palate is supple and beautifully weighted with a fleshy mouthfeel and silky smooth finish. Well harmonised and most appealing. At its best: now to 2017.
FS MCS 09
Silver – Hawkes Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards 20114 stars – Wine State Magazine 2012
FS MCS 10
None to date
Regional Characteristics
Winemaker's Intention
This is a classic Hawkes Bay blend and so we’re looking to build on the regions natural suitability with this variety and really push our vineyards ability to ripen with powerful aromatics. We’d usually see these aromatics develop hand in hand with deep and vibrant crimson hues. Ageing this wine in French oak barriques helps to enhance and cedar and earthy characters along with a richly textured, balanced palate. Suppleness on the palate is a hallmark of good Hawkes Bay blended red and we look to develop fine-grained tannins with extended time on skins before pressing. This ensures the wine is approachable and capable of developing further complexity with medium-term aging.
