2006

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Mills Reef Winery Producers of distinctive wines

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 Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

 

Vintage:          2006

Variety:           Cabernet Sauvignon

Area:               Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay

Winemaker:      Tim Preston & Paddy Preston

Alcohol:            14%

Awards:            TROPHY & GOLD - Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2008

Tasting Note:    This densely coloured and generous red was made from ultra-premium grapes grown in our Mere Road vineyard, in the prestigious Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay.

The grapes were handpicked on April 24th at 24.4 brix, destemmed, gently crushed and cold-soaked for 5 days.  Fermentation was split into two parcels, the first (60% of the wine) innoculated with a selected yeast in a small open top fermenter and plunged twice daily, the second (40% of the wine) fermented with an indigenous yeast in Integrale barrels.

The resulting wine received four weeks extended maceration, followed by pressing to barrel, where it was aged for 17 months in 93% new and 7% one year-old quality French oak, with 3 aerated rackings throughout.  Bottling took place on 30th November 2007.

This powerful mouthfilling Cabernet Sauvignon is intensely varietal with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and blackcherry, supported by cedary oak and walnuts.  It is deliciously soft and silky with fine ripe tannins and a satisfyingly long dry fruit finish.  Already delicious, it also has magnificent aging potential.