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Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016

$49.95$284.72 inc GST

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.

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Description

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.

Additional information

Weight 1 kg
Amount

Single Bottle, Case (6 Bottles)

Wine Review

"The age-worthy 2016 vintage (4.5*) was hand-picked in the company's Mere Road Vineyard and matured for 17 months in French oak hogsheads (34 per cent new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and vibrant, with strong, youthful blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with quality oak, and good tannin support. Best drinking 2020+."

Michael Cooper

This ageworthy, medium-bodied red was hand-picked in the Mere Road Vineyard and matured for 17 months in French oak casks (34% new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and vibrant, with strong, youthful blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with quality oak, and good tannin support. Best drinking 2020+

Winestate

"Broody, dark fruited bouquet with dark roasted plum, blue berry and baking spices of oak - clove and vanilla. Bold forward, toasty and very inviting. Dry, fruity, full-bodied and lush with a core of dark red berry fruits led by plum; firm to fine tannins and medium+ acidity. Lengthy finish and well-made. Still integrating and will be happy in a cellar for a while. Best from 2020 through 2030."

Cameron Douglas

Ripe, moderately concentrated and pleasingly fleshy merlot with dark-fleshed plum, berry and smoky oak flavours. A smooth-textured wine that's deliciously drinkable now but with the potential to develop well.

Bob Campbell

Food Pairings

Vineyards and Winemaking

This single-vineyard Merlot is a testament to our estate-grown Mere Road grapes trained on low-yielding vines in the renowned Gimblett Gravels of Hawkes Bay. The fruit was handpicked at optimum ripeness on 2nd April 2016 at 22.7° brix.

The grapes were destemmed, retaining whole berries which were cold soaked for two days in an open-top fermenter. The must was then inoculated with selected yeast and the cap plunged twice daily during ferment.

The wine was allowed 17 days alcohol soak post ferment before pressing to barrel for aging in quality 100% French oak (34% new) for 17 months. The wine was left undisturbed for 5 months, with one gentle aerated racking. The final wine was polished with egg white fining, and pad filtered prior to bottling in late November 2017 under Stelvin screwcap.