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Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

$49.95$284.72 inc GST

This opulent Cabernet Sauvignon, with its dark brooding presence, exudes distinctive blackcurrant character, laced with aniseed and mocha. Silky smooth tannins and ageing in quality oak contribute poise, structure and length. A distinguished wine, it is eminently enjoyable now or to greatly reward cellaring.

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

Amount

Single Bottle, Case (6 Bottles)

Wine Review

The 2020 vintage delivered many delicious wines including this Cabernet from the Mills Reef Winery - its aromas include black cherry and black berry, there’s dark roasted plum and notes of baking spices from clove to licorice and vanilla then scents of sweet toasty barrel and violets. Dry, textured and youthful on the palate with a core of dark fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet, firm ripe tannins and plenty of acidity for power, longevity and to carry the myriad flavours. Well made, dry and ready to drink. It is also a wine that can develop some more if cellared. Ideal drinking from late 2023 through 2029.
93 Points
Excellent

Cam Douglas MS

Rich, weighty red with blackcurrant, cedar, black olive, dark chocolate, mocha, cassis, and bottle development characters including forest floor and earth. Ripe wine that is drinking well now but has further development potential.
95 points

Bob Campbell

Food Pairings

Enjoy with roasted duck breast and pecan puree.

Vineyards and Winemaking

The grapes for this generous single vineyard wine were exclusively sourced from low yielding vines in the prestigious Gimblett Gravel region of Hawkes Bay. The 2020 growing season experienced ideal weather conditions, steady hot days and moderate-cool nights allowed for perfect ripening conditions for harvesting in excellent condition and flavour profile.

The grapes were gently crushed, allowing some whole berries to remain intact, with the resulting must then transferred into open-top fermenters for a 4-day cold soak. With a specific selected yeast and partial natural yeast allowed fermentation to proceed. A daily air rummage of the cap for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction occurred. This was followed by an extended post ferment soak before being sent to French oak barrels (35% new) for 26 months.

The fine blend has resulted in a wine with perfect balance and harmony. A gentle fining and filtration preceded bottling on the 6th of September 2022