What the winery says about the Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Malbec 2007

This wine was made from a blend of grapes grown in the Gimblett Gravels sub region of Hawkes Bay. These free draining shingle soils have excellent drainage and low vigour. The vineyard sites are close planted and yields per vine are kept low to maximise fruit quality.  This is a full bodied and rich Hawkes Bay blend, densely coloured and exhibiting a bouquet of plums, red fruits, dried herbs and hints of oak. The palate is soft and generous in nature, making it easy to enjoy as a young wine; however well ripened tannins suggests this wine has the potential to age exceptionally well. Enjoy with most meat and game dishes, but especially lamb. Enjoy while young or cellar to five years with confidence.

What we say . . . .

The vineyards are over 15 years old and cropped at low levels to produce grapes of the highest possible quality. This 2007 vintage is deeply coloured with aromatics hinting at black fruits, dried herbs, cocoa and cedar. The flavours typical of Gimblett Gravel merlot blends tend toward fruitcake, cherry, chocolate and oak spice. The palate as a young wine is firm and tannic, needing time to truly show its best; however, the potential is evident. Dry and long finishing this is a fine vintage for this blend.