Mills Reef Merlot Cabernet - Non Vintage
| Vintage: Non Vintage Variety: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon Area: Hawkes Bay Winemakers: Tim Preston & Paddy Preston Alcohol: 14% Awards: BRONZE - Royal Easter Wine Show 2009 Tasting Note: The grapes for this impressive wine were picked from three selected vineyards in Hawkes Bay, ideally suited to Bordeaux reds. Each vineyard parcel was individually handled through fermentation, using a mix of oak and stainless steel vessels to develop both fruit character and depth and complexity. The parcels were blended together in optimal ratios on 26 June 2008 and allowed to age for a further month before bottling on 8 august 2008 under screwcap closure. This classic deep ruby Merlot dominant red has abundant aromas of blackcurrant and black doris plum, tinged with mint and interwoven layers of smoky, leathery, cigar box characters. On the palate this is a big multi-layered wine, with rich blackcurrant, brambly fruit and plum flavours, seamlessly enhanced with leather, ciigar box and forest floor complexity. Well integrated tannins gives this wine impressive body and length, leading to a satisfying dry spicy finish. |