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cabernet sauvignon 63%, merlot 23%, cabernet franc 11%, malbec 3%
Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Estate grown, produced and bottled
13.0% alc
The cooler 96/97 growing season produced low crop levels but ripe fruit with strong varietal characteristics. This wine shows an intense berryfruit nose with a hint of eucalyptus, complimenting the spicy / cedary french oak cooperage. It has great balance on the palate with a soft feel but firm structure, followed by a long juicy length, and fresh finish. The wine has matured in our cellars and is drinking wonderfully now, and will continue to do so over the next 3 years.
Hand harvested over the first two weeks of April 97 at optimum ripeness. After primary fermentation and maceration the skins were basket pressed and later blended to the free run wine. Full malolactic fermentation, 3 rackings and egg white fining were carried out over an 18 month period, while the wine lived in new 1 year old French barriques.
Bottled in July 1998, the wine was then laid down in our cellar for a further 36 months, until each bottle was hand inspected, washed, labelled and capsuled, then packed to await distribution.
Hand Harvested
Alcohol Content
13.0%
(v/v)
Titratable Acidity
5.0
(g/L)
Total Sugar
< 1
(g/L)
Brix
22.5
pH
3.73
