Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2019

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2019French oak Blackberry & plum Mocha & cedar spice Velvety smooth "The inviting bouquet shows blackcurrant, toasted spice, olive, cedar and vanilla characters, followed by a succulent palate offering supple texture and fine polished tannins. The wine displays sweet fruit core backed by elegant structure, making it immediately approachable and drinkable" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2021 A rich full bodied wine, this blend exudes intense blackcurrant,

• French oak
• Blackberry & plum
• Mocha & cedar spice
• Velvety smooth

"The inviting bouquet shows blackcurrant, toasted spice, olive, cedar and vanilla characters, followed by a succulent palate offering supple texture and fine polished tannins. The wine displays sweet fruit core backed by elegant structure, making it immediately approachable and drinkable" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2021

A rich full bodied wine, this blend exudes intense blackcurrant, blackberry and plum flavours, layered with mocha and spicy cedary oak. Ageing in quality oak has conferred a velvety smooth texture, for immediate appeal, or for judicious cellaring.

The grapes for this generous wine were exclusively sourced from low yielding vines on alluvial soils within Mills Reef's prestigious Bridge Pa vineyard in Hawkes Bay. The 2019 growing season experienced ideal weather conditions, hot days and moderate-cool nights allowed for perfect ripening conditions for harvesting in excellent condition.

The grapes were then gently crushed, whilst also allowing some whole berries to remain intact. The must was transferred into closed-top stainless steel tanks for a cold soak of an average four days duration.  Fermentation was then initiated, followed by daily rummaging for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction. The resulting wine was then aged for 16 months in quality French oak barriques (25% being new wood), with one racking during élevage.

The final blend was composed, comprising 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, and judged to have already attained perfect harmony, to only require a light fining. The wine was gently filtered to preserve the wines full natural complexity, structure and flavour profile. Bottling took place on 30th October 2020 under screwcap closure.

Food Pairing: Well matched with BBQ Moroccan Lamb Loin and Tabbouleh salad.