2005

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Mills Reef Winery Producers of distinctive wines

Reserve Merlot Malbec 2005

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Vintage: 2005
Varieties: Merlot / Malbec
Area: Hawkes Bay
Winemaker: Paddy Preston and Tim Preston
Alcohol %: 13.5

Awards:  SILVER - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007

              SILVER - Bragato Wine Awards 2007

              4 STARS - Winestate Magazine 2007

              92 POINTS - Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine June/July 2007

              4 STARS - Winestate Hawkes Bay Regional Tasting 2007

              4 STARS - Cuisine Magazine Sep/Oct Issue 2007

              4½ STARS - Wine Orbit August 2007

              4½ STARS - Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide 2008

Tasting Note: The grapes for this fine wine were selected from our two Gimblett Gravels vineyards located in the stony soils and warmer inland area of Hawkes Bay, with an enviable reputation for producing some of New Zealand's finest Bordeaux reds. The two varieties comprising this blend, Merlot and Malbec, were harvested in several parcels during mid-April at ideal ripeness and flavour profile.The grapes were destemmed and tank fermented, followed by full malolactic fermentation and seperate aging of each parcel in one and two year old oak barriques for twelve months, with regular lees stirring for enhanced complexity.Selected parcels were then carefully blended to achieve a seamless style with optimal aroma and palate expression (51% Merlot, 49% Malbec).
Bottling was undertaken on the 31st of August 2006. This darkly coloured red offers intense and fragrant aromas of violets, luscious plum, blackcurrant and blackberry, beautifully integrated with toffee and forest floor undertones. Concentrated flavours entice the palate with a medley of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry fruits, complemented with a silky smooth texture, fine tannins and finely balanced oak seasoning. The length is long and lingering with a gentle dry finish.