Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2005
| Vintage: 2005 Awards: GOLD MEDAL - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007 4½ STARS - Winestate Hawkes Bay Regional Tasting 2007 5 STARS & TOP 10 - Cuisine Magazine Sep/Oct Issue 2007 5 STARS - Wine Orbit August 2007 BEST IN CLASS - Hawkes Bay Mercedes Benz Wine Awards 2007 4½ STARS - Winestate Annual 4½ STARS - Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide 2008 NO. 1 Bordeaux Style Red and Best Value Over $25 - WineNZ Magazine Summer 2008 Tasting Note: This distinguished Hawkes Bay red is made from close-planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines in our Mere Road Vineyard, situated in the heart of the famous Gimblett Gravelsdistrict in Hawkes Bay. The grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed and equal portions fermented in stainless steel vats and French oak barrels. The resulting wine was blended and aged in quality French oak barriques for 18 months and bottled on the 15h of November 2006. This classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is deliciously dark and concentrated, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet and nuances of coffee and nuts. The palate is rich and mouthfilling with a complexity of ripe cassis, plum and spice flavours and quality oak seasoning, on a backbone of fine-grained tannins. The finish is spicy, long and lingering. Already delicious, it will continue to flourish with cellaring. |