"Gimblett Gravels" SV Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2016

NZ $26.60 incl GST

Top 5 & Best Buy - Cuisine Magazine June 2018 . Masses of wild black fruits coupled with savoury hints and deliciously spicy oak.

SKU 01021

Category Select Vineyards Wines, Hawkes Bay, Merlot and blends

Description

Winemakers Notes

Merlot and Malbec both performed with real distinction in Hawkes Bay in 2016. The Merlot parcel was harvested on 28^th March and the Malbec on April Fool’s Day! Post ferment and MLF the wines went off to oak. The wine was assembled on 7^th July 2017. The final assemblage is 54% Merlot and 46% Malbec. We did not use any new barrels in this assemblage. The wine was bottled in 750ml and larger format bottles on 7^th to 9^th August 2017

Analysis

Alc	13%
Acid	5.7 g/L
Res sugar	2.3 g/L
pH	3.57

Tasting Notes

Colour:	The colours of the 2016 Hawkes Bay wines are superb. A deep core running out to a bright purple rim.
Bouquet:	The Merlot provides lovely black doris plum aromas and the Malbec adds delicious ‘wild berry’ undertones.
Palate:	At bottling this wine was full of youthful vitality. Firm yet fine-grained tannins balanced by loads of juicy black fruit in the mid palate.

Cellaring
Already approachable, but we expect this wine to cellar for a number of years.

Food Matches
Rounded tannins and ripe berry flavours make this wine a great accompaniment to many meat dishes such as lamb, venison, beef and game. Many rich sauces go well with this wine, as will roast garlic and vegetables.

Suggested wine list description
Masses of wild black fruits coupled with savoury hints and deliciously spicy oak.

Independent Reviewer’s Comment

“Unfolding well, this blended red is full coloured, mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with fresh blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours that show excellent ripeness and depth.” Michael Cooper.

Awards