TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY 2021

Double Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2021 & 2022
Gold Medal – Hawkes Bay Wine Show 2022
Gold Medal – New World Wine Awards 2024

A blend of mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown on the Gimblett Gravels made in a style that emphasizes the delicious dark fruits from a very good vintage.

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"This red is predominantly a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot adding further complexity and interest. Cherry/plum flavours and the suppleness of Merlot combine with the violet perfume and blackberry flavours of Cabernet Franc to produce a serious, yet eminently drinkable wine packed full of flavour and character. A versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or partnered with a wide range of different flavoured foods. Ready to drink now but will reward short to medium-term cellaring (three to five years from harvest date).

The 2020/2021 growing season in Hawke’s Bay was warm and dry; perfect conditions to produce ripe, rich, and distinctive red varietals. Each individual vineyard parcel was harvested separately and destemmed prior to fermentation. Gentle daily pumping over of the skins during fermentation helped extract a soft, complex structure. Extended maceration on skins following fermentation helped to further integrate and soften the tannins. Following aging in stainless steel tanks the individual blocks were blended to create the ideal wine."

93/100 David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, October 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"A classic Hawke’s Bay ‘red blend’ led by Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot also present in the mix. A very dear, near black, purple colour in the glass. The bouquet is voluminous – a good swirl reveals a cloud of plum, blackberry, cinnamon, liquorice, mulberry and vanilla. The palate is a little lighter than the colour suggests, with that glossy lent a vibrant lift from perky acidity. Structure comes from tannin and oak, both restrained and well-integrated, but giving a supple spine to the wine. 2021 was a decent vintage, and this ripe, smooth blend is an approachable example of a well-crafted Hawke’s Bay red."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, August 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"A very enticing bouquet filled with scents of ripe red berry fruits, savoury complexities and intrigue. A dry wine touches the palate with flavours of boysenberry then blue and black fruits, plum and blackberry then violets and spices from French oak. Dry, textured and new with plenty of tannins and acidity for mouthfeel and complexity, core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet, a wine that is still developing and will reward those who cellar this wine for a while longer. Best from 2026 through 2034. Excellent value."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Splendidly fruited and fragrant, the wine shows Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, thyme, floral and toasted nut aromas. The palate displays succulent fruit intensity with supple texture and fine-grained tannins, offering excellent structure and persistency. At its best: now to 2030. very good more richness complexity long and satisfying."

4 Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"Already very approachable, the 2021 vintage is a generous, buoyantly fruity blend of Merlot (58 per cent), Cabernet Franc (35 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (5 per cent) and Petit Verdot (2 per cent), estate-grown at three sites in the Gimblett Gravels and aged in stainless steel tanks, rather than oak barrels. Deeply coloured, it is fragrant, mouthfilling and supple, with strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours. Best drinking mid-2023+."

4 Cuisine NZ Bordeaux Style Red, June 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"Aromas of ripe, juicy red fruits sit alongside a subtle spice and delicate herbals on the nose. The palate is fruit forward, well weighted and plush with fresh, bright acid that gives lift. Generous oak and supple tannins."

90/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2021 Vintage)
"A blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot from a very favourable vintage. Ripe berry, plum, red rose, floral and a hint of fresh herbs. A lively wine that offers good drinking now but no rush. Good value at this price."