Vintage: 2006
Varieties: Merlot
Area: Hawkes Bay
Winemaker: Paddy Preston and Tim Preston
Alcohol %: 14.0 Awards: GOLD MEDAL - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007 GOLD MEDAL - Hawkes Bay Mercedes Benz Wine Awards 2007 4 STARS - Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide 2008 Tasting Note: The grapes for this distinguished wine were grown in the stony soils of our Mere Road Vineyard in the renowned Gimblett Gravels of Hawkes Bay, from two superior Merlot clones of Erindale and 481 grafted onto low vigour rootstocks.
The two Merlot parcels were picked at ideal ripeness on April 20th and 22nd at 23.9 and 24.5 Brix respectively, cold-soaked, fermented separately, one in open top fermenter, the other in stainless steel closed top. The resulting wine was blended and aged in quality new and one year old French oak barriques for 15 months. Bottling took place on the 31st of August 2007.
This stylish dark and fragrant Merlot is rich and complex with intense cherry, plum and blackberry aromas, softly perfumed with rose petal, and hints of spice. On the palate a rich milieu of plums and blackberries partner with forest floor and leather accents, carried over softly integrated tannins for a persistent, soft dry and fruity finish.
It will age gracefully and reward cellaring for 3 to 5 years.
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