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Buy Online5 Stars Michael Cooper, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"The powerful, classy 2020 vintage is a blend of Merlot (53 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (24 per cent) and Cabernet Franc (23 per cent). Grown in the Gimblett Gravels, it was matured for two years in French oak casks (23 per cent new). Dark, it has dense, deliciously concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, refined tannins and a well-structured, long finish. It should flourish for a decade – or longer."
5 Stars & 97/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"This is immediately captivating on the nose, showing blackcurrant, Black Doris plum, floral, mixed spice and cedar notes, followed by an impressively weighty palate that’s plump and substantial. Beautifully framed by finely infused tannins, it’s gutsy and sophisticated at the same time with a prolonged structured finish. From Gimblett Gravels. At its best: 2025 to 2037."
Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"A bouquet of muscle and power, ripeness and enticement with roasted plums and dark berries, boysenberry and blue fruits. Other aromas come from the scents of smoky wood and cacao, clove and baked vanilla pod, dark plums and violets. There’s a suggestion of black licorice, freshly roasted coffee bean and bitter chocolate. Firm, dry, an abundance of plums and fine tannins, a salty acid line and baked nut quality. Delicious and refreshing, plenty of weight and intensity, a wine that can be enjoyed today, aged and well matched to food anytime. Best drinking from 2026 through 2036+."
19.0/20 Joelle Thompson (2020 Vintage)
"This impressive deep ruby hued, intensely smooth, plummy tasting red is one of the best Merlots that I have ever tasted and is made with grapes 100% from Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District. Although, truth be told, this wine is not 100% Merlot, which constitutes 53% of the blend, along with deep blackberry scented aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% of the blend and the lifted fragrance of 23% Cabernet Franc. All grapes were hand picked and wild yeast fermented with the wine aged for two years in barrels, which sounds like a long time, especially for nearly a quarter of the oak (23%) to be new wood, but this robust, full bodied expression of great grapes from great sites in Hawke’s Bay is superbly well balanced. And drinking well now, it clearly also has a long life ahead."
94/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, September 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Inky red from an excellent vintage with concentrated berry, chocolate/mocha, black Doris plum, old leather, and mixed spice flavours. Approachable now but should benefit from a few years in bottle."
5 Stars & 19.0-/20 (95) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Full, deep ruby-red, lighter on edge. The nose is full and enticing with blackberry, cassis, plum, menthol, violet, stony minerals aromas and an amalgam of spice. Full-bodied, red plum, cassis and blackberry aromas interweaved with violet, stony minerals, clove, nutmeg, liquorice and savoury elements. A mealy palate packed with smooth, fine-grained tannins, iron-rich minerals and savoury elements. The fruit is concentrated with a great balance of sweet and sour; spices linger to a long, sustained finish. This red blend shows a concentrated, weighty, smooth mouthfeel, packed with richness, spice and beautiful fruit balance. Match with barvette steak and short ribs over the next 10 years. Fruit from 100% Stone vineyard in Gimblett Gravels, 53% Merlot clone 181, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon clone 10 and 23% Cabernet Franc clone 326, fermented to 14.5% alc, natural spring MLF. Aged 24 months in barrels 23% new oak, further 4 months in tanks on light lees."
