From $49.99
Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from exceptional Hawkes Bay sites, focused on the Gimblett Gravels District for red wines and the Riverview District for Chardonnay. The fruit is hand-picked and only under the Elspeth label when of exceptional quality. Our winemaking team share the philosophy of a hands-on, no expense spared approach to produce these fine award winning wines. The range is limited to Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux style reds.
This outstanding Merlot, from an exceptional vintage, shows great poise exuding intense notes of ripened blackcurrant and spicy Black Doris plums. In harmony with silky smooth tannins and a wonderful freshness yielding a persistently long mocha finish. Ready for immediate enjoyment, it will also cellar gracefully to reward longer term enjoyment.
Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from exceptional Hawkes Bay sites, focused on the Gimblett Gravels District for red wines and the Riverview District for Chardonnay. The fruit is hand-picked and only under the Elspeth label when of exceptional quality. Our winemaking team share the philosophy of a hands-on, no expense spared approach to produce these fine award winning wines. The range is limited to Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux style reds.
| Weight | 1 kg |
|---|---|
| Amount | Single Bottle, Case (6 Bottles) |
Deep ruby with a purple hue. Ripe black plum and dark cherry fruit is swaddled in creamy, vanilla oak and cinnamon spice on this plush and concentrated merlot. The moderately firm tannins are chocolaty with persistent grip and despite suggestions of some earthy, dried herb and coffee-ish tertiary notes starting to appear, the fruit is still largely primary and compact right to the drying, woody finish. This will continue its slow evolution in bottle for the next decade as it gains more complexity and roundness.
Stephen Wong, The Real Review
An excellent bouquet and palate still. Aromas and flavours of black currant and dark berries, baking spices of clove and five spice then smoky barrel and stony dry earth ideas. As the wine touches the palate there’s a soft rounded smooth mouthfeel then almost instantly the tannins and acidity deliver their messages. A wine that is beginning to develop more complexities and personality as the elements integrate and harmonise. Well made, lengthy and delicious. Best alongside food - perhaps cheese. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2032+.
93 Points - Excellent
Cameron Douglas, MS
Well suited to grilled Filet Mignon with a wild mushroom sauce.
The grapes for this generous wine were grown in the stony soils of the prestigious Gimblet Gravels Winegrowing District, on low yielding closely-spaced vines. The fruit for this single Vineyard Merlot was picked without duress thanks to excellent sunny weather over harvest enabling unpressured picking decisions based solely on when each parcel had reached optimum ripeness and condition. Harvesting occurred on the 2nd of April 2020.
The grapes were gently crushed, allowing some whole berries to remain intact, with the resulting must then transferred into an open-top fermenter for a 3-day cold soak. Fermentation proceeded with daily air rummage of the cap for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction. An extended post fermentation skin contact regime enhanced the structure and balance of the wine before being pressed and transferred to barrel. The resulting wine was racked once and aged for 20 months in quality French oak 300L hogsheads (34% new wood). After a light fining and filter the wine was bottled on 2nd September 2022.
