MILLS REEF ELSPETH CABERNET / MERLOT 2020

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"This superior wine is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot crafted from ultra-premium grapes grown in the famed Gimblett Gravels. Full bodied, it bursts with notes of black fruit, blueberry, plum, chocolate, and cassis on a bed of lovely, refined tannins. Ageing in quality French oak has yielded a distinguished silky-smooth wine. 

The grapes for this generous single vineyard wine were exclusively sourced from low yielding vines in the prestigious Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay. The 2020 growing season experienced ideal weather conditions, steady hot days and moderate-cool nights allowed for perfect ripening conditions for harvesting in excellent condition and flavour profile.

The grapes were gently crushed, allowing some whole berries to remain intact, with the resulting must then transferred into open-top fermenters for a 4-day cold soak. With a specific selected yeast and partial natural yeast allowed fermentation to proceed. A daily air rummage of the cap for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction occurred. This was followed by an extended post ferment soak before being sent to French oak barrels (35% new) for 20 months.
The finely blend has resulted in a wine with perfect balance and harmony. A gentle fining and filtration preceded bottling on the 2nd of September 2022."

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2026 (2020 Vintage)
"A wine of concentration and power with core aromas of dark berries and sweet tobacco, ripe blackberry and Doris plums. Delicious on the palate filled with textures of polished tannins and acidity backbone then flavours of smoked meats and toasty barrel, violets and stony soils. Full-bodied, persistent, complex and lengthy. An expressive wine in flavour and texture. Excellent on its own or with food."