MillsReef Elspeth One Gimblett Gravels 2020

Description

This superior wine, produced only in exceptional years, is a judicious fusion of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Crafted from ultra-premium grapes selected from the famed Gimblett Gravels. Full bodied, with a rich complexity of blackcurrant, brambly fruit, violets, cassis, and layers of chocolate, spicy oak and liquorice, all nestled on a bed of refined tannins. It's a distinguished silky smooth wine.

Powerful, yet refined, this Hawkes Bay red is a stellar varietal blend of barrel selected Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The grapes were handpicked with care between 14 March and 17 April 2020, at an average of 22.0° Brix. On arrival at the winery they were destemmed, with some whole berry components, and the musts cold soaked for up to 5 days for enhanced colour and flavour extraction. Fermentations took place in open top tanks and allowed to start with a spontaneous indigenous fermentation, before being initiated with yeasts specially selected to highlight individual varietal expression.

Post-ferment, the wines were macerated while still on skins for an average of 14 days, when the winemaker deemed that the ideal tannin structure had been achieved. The wines were pressed then sent to premium French barrels, of which 47% was new wood. After 18 months, only barrels showing outstanding character and full varietal expression were designated Elspeth One, and blended on 19 October 2021. Left un-fined and unfiltered to preserve the natural flavours, bottling took place on 2 November 2021 under cork closure.