Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"A low yielding season, giving great intensity and fruit weight to the late ripening varietals that make up our Célèbre blend. 2021 finished with a long dry spell in April that enabled the merlot, malbec, cabernet franc and syrah to reach perfect ripeness.
An intense nose of dark scented aromas of aniseed, black liquorice and cardamom draws you in to a palate peppered with ripe plum and black currant. Densely structured and detailed, 2021 is a riper more profound vintage of Célèbre than the lighter more energetic 2020. The inclement weather at flowering and late frosts of 2021 resulted in tiny bunches and small, thick-skinned berries packed with flavour and tannin. Thirty-six years on from the first release of Célèbre, this blend continues to go from strength to strength as the vines slowly mature, their roots moving deeper into the gravels of the Martinborough Terrace
The merlot and malbec were fermented together, with a preferment maceration of around 4-6 days until indigenous yeasts completed the fermentation over ten to twelve days. The fermenters are then closed up and the wine is left to slowly macerate with the skins for a further 10 days. The syrah which ripens earlier is fermented separately with a shorter fermentation period to keep it bright and floral. Pristine cabernet franc was whole bunch fermented and adds an exotic high note to the blend. Aged in French oak for 22 months prior to bottling to soften the tannins and allow the wine to slowly open and evolve.
The 2021 Célèbre is a blend of syrah 56%, merlot 31%, and small portions of malbec 7% and cabernet franc at 6%. This is a wonderful vintage of Célèbre, which packs a punch, and will reward cellaring."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2020 Vintage)
"A blend of merlot, syrah and malbec gives a medley of dark berry, plum, floral and black pepper flavours. A bold, concentrated and youthful wine that is underpinned with ripe, drying tannins. Can be enjoyed now but will reward cellaring."
Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, June 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Fabulous bouquet and palate, true to style fo Celebre with aromas and textures, flavours and impact of core red berry fruit, plums and spiced cherry flavours, some tart raspberry and mild peppery blackcurrant flavours. Firm tannins and a back bone of acidity ensure this wines longevity as well laying the foundation for the fruit and wood flavours. A lengthy primary fruited finish with textures of tannins and acidity, minerality and power. Excellent drink from 2025 through 2035+. Decant for service."
5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"Wonderfully fruited and seductively styled, showing dark berry, clove, cedary oak and a hint of dried herb notes on the nose. The palate displays excellent weight and flow together with refined mouthfeel and fleshy texture, leading to a lengthy silky finish. Beautifully composed and harmonious. A blend of 45% Merlot, 40% Syrah, 10% Malbec & 5% Cabernet Franc. At its best: now to 2033."