2007

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Mills Reef Winery Producers of distinctive wines

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 Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2007

Vintage:      2007

Variety:       Cabernet Merlot

Area:           Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay

Winemaker:   Paddy Preston & Tim Preston

Alcohol:         14%

 

Tasting Note:  This delicious Gimblett Gravels red (Mere Road & Plateau Vineyards) from Hawkes Bay follows in the same hugely successful style of the multi award-winning 2005 and 2006 vintages, comprising of a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot.

The grapes were harvested in several parcels at ideal ripeness on 16th April, the Merlot at 24.7 brix and Cabernet at 23.8 brix.  The grapes were cold soaked for four days and fermented on their skins in open-top fermenters with twice daily plunging for enhanced colour and flavour extraction.  Post-ferment the wine was macerated on skins for a further 20 days before seven months aging in new and 1 year old quality oak barrels.

Bottling was undertaken on 20th of March and April 1st 2008 under screwcap.

This deeply coloured red offers sweet blackberry and boysnberry aromas with hints of herbs and liquorice.  Rich brambly and blackcurrant flavours delight on the palate, with cedary oak and mocha highlights.  A vibrant silky wine with supple tannins and a lingering finish.

It is extremely enjoyable now and will reward cellaring for three to five years.