Mills Reef
Elspeth

Cabernet Merlot

2007

SKU 9416055289078

Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawkes Bay
Varietal: Cabernet Dominant
Type: Red
Volume: 750

Wine Secrets

Trophy & Elite Gold - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2009

Normal Retail $40.

Gimblett Gravels fruit was used to create this classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (30%). Deeply coloured, offering layers of blackcurrant, cigar box, caramel and cedar aromas. This leads to a complex and full bodied palate of concentrated berry flavours, rich dark chocolate, mocha, an array of cinnamon and clove spices, finely integrated with quality oak and harmonious tannins, with a lengthy silky dry finish. A great Bordeaux-style red for drinking now and over the next 5-8 years.

This distinguished red is made from ultra-premium grapes grown on low-yielding Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines in our Mere Road Vineyard, situated in the renowned Gimblett Gravels district within Hawkes Bay.

Both grapes varieties were handpicked between 9th and 18th of May at an average of 24 brix. They were destemmed and the berries gently crushed, then cold-soaked for 5 days prior to ferment.

Seventy percent of the must was inoculated with a selected yeast in open and closed top fermenters, whilst the remaining 30% was wild-fermented in Integrale barrels. The cap was wet three times daily using a mixture of punch-down and pump-over techniques, until fermentation reached dry. A post-ferment maceration followed for 5 days for enhanced concentration, then pressed to quality French oak barrels (20% new and 80% 1 year-old barriques) for 13 to 16 months aging. Bottling took place on September 26th under screwcap closure.

This classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (30%) is deeply coloured, offering layers of blackcurrant, leather, cigar box, caramel and cedar aromas, leading onto a complex and full bodied palate of concentrated berry and blackcurrant flavours, rich dark chocolate, mocha, an array of cinnamon and clove spices, finely integrated with quality oak and harmonious tannins, with a lengthy silky dry finish.

Already delicious, it will continue to flourish with cellaring.

Freight
Taupo free delivery
1-2 bottles $6.00 (all NZ)
North Island:
$8.00 per case,
South Island:
$10 per case,

Wine Secrets

$39.90