Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2023
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Dark berry fruits and red fleshed plums abound on the nose, intertwined with subtle nuances of rose petal, savoury spices and freshly torn sage leaves. The palate is intense and lively up front with juicy plum and cherry, gradually building to a plush core of dark berry fruits wrapped in a veil of fine velvety tannins. A vibrant burst of acidity provides freshness, while teasing the palate out to a lingering finish.
Fruit was Hand-picked and predominantly destemmed into small 4.2T open top fermenters for a brief pre fermentation maceration before ferment was allowed to begin utilising naturally occurring yeast. A small number of ferments contained up to 40% whole bunches where stem ripeness allowed. Ferments were managed judiciously, with a maximum of two light plunges daily at the peak of fermentation to avoid over extraction of tannin. Wines spent between 24 and 32 days on skins prior to pressing to 225L oak barrels for maturation."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Fragrant, fruity, varietal and new, scents of fresh red plum and cherry, some heirloom red apple skin, spices from soil and oak layer in complexity and intrigue. A dry wine touches the palate first then flavours of raspberry and cherry then spice push through. Tannins are firm, acidity has a medium+ power adding mouthfeel and with the tannins a youthful tautness. Wood flavours and tannins add their own voice with a palate squeeze reminder. A young wine still and needs some time to settle and develop with best drinking from late 2024 through 2029+."
Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…
98/100 Winestate Magazine (2021 Vintage)
"A purple wine with a lifted cranberry like bouquet and a complexity of dark cherry and mocha flavours with fine oak tannins that linger across the palate."
95/100 Judges Comment, Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Delectable dark cherry and raspberry with a whisper of bracken and dried thyme; intense and complex with solid, ripe tannins and a smoky, savoury finish."
95/100 Judges Comment, International Wine Challenge 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep garnet colour. Fleshy savoury notes on the nose, ripe red fruits, cherries with nuances of capsicum and fennel, a smattering of white pepper. Long lingering finish."