Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"A rich and vibrant aroma of blackberry, cassis, cocoa powder, a touch of sous-bois, graphite with hints of liquorice and all spice, fresh tobacco and cedar notes , underlining the complex bouquet.
Our Cabernet Sauvignon vines are grown at our Paritua Vineyard on Maraekakaho Road. This part of the vineyard is dry farmed and has not been irrigated for 10 years. The vines are managed to crop light and have good fruit exposure. Fruit thinning takes place to one bunch per cane to maximize ripening potential. Harvest is all by hand once the grapes have achieved physiological ripeness.
Whole bunches are destemmed and partially crushed. After a short cold soak, the ferment is started and kept under 30°C. Regular pump-overs will keep the cap submerged and extract the fine skin tannins present in this wine. Malo-lactic fermentation takes place in tank and the wine is put to barrel post maceration. The wine is aged in barrel for up to two years before blending and bottling. We use French oak barriques of which 20% are new."
Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Almost opaque core of dark purple and red with a lighter hued rim lead to a bouquet of power and concentration, aromas of blackberry and clove, new leather and roasted plum, violets and dark cherry then sweet tobacco and iron clay earthy qualities. Bold and weighty on the palate with firm tannins and concentrated flavours of berries and spices that reflect the bouquet. Long finish and complex with best drinking from late 2024 through 2034+."
5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"It's wonderfully complex and inviting on the nose with cassis, sweet plum, roasted hazelnut and dried herb characters, followed by a richly expressed palate offering outstanding weight backed by refined texture and finely infused, grainy tannins. Superbly styled with classic structure and frame, finishing impressively long and engaging. At its best: now to 2035."
Rated #4 WineFolio.co.nz Top 10 Bordeaux Varietals Tasting, June 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"A really “dark bloody burgundy” colour. A powerful bouquet – “smells like Old Holborn tobacco” underneath black, spicy fruit. Peppercorn, hay, dried herbs and smoked olive. A good palate weight – smooth but intense. Toasty oak adds an old-school european edge to these New World flavours. Dry and long at the finish."
Gold Medal – Dish Magazine, NZ Bordeaux Reds Tasting, July 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"This berry-saturated cabernet is crammed with cassis, Black Doris plums and heightened florals that’ll have you struggling to take your nose out of the glass. Juicy acidity, great generosity of flavour and a long, chewy finish had this sailing into the top scores."