• Subtle oak
• Ripe blackcurrant
• Mouthfilling
• Soft tannins

"A wine of maturity and readiness, synergies, and textures. Aromas and flavours of textured cherries and gravelly blackberry flavours. The integration of texture that delivers the gravel and mouthfeel ideas is delivered through the tannins and acidity. Finer tannins are almost integrated, and acidity delivers some crunch and length. Well made with best drinking from the day of purchase through 2028+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

"A full-coloured, youthful red with good substance, it is mouthfilling, fresh, vibrantly fruity and firmly structured, with strong, ripe blackcurrant, berry, plum and spice flavours. Open 2021+" Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide 2020

A beautiful deep purple/red, with a dark core and bright, flashing rim. Very Bordeaux like (Left Bank that is!) with a lovely mix of primary fruit and subtle, yet classy oak. Not a massively full-bodied wine, but a wine with great balance, fineness and finesse. The tannins are soft and round and there is just enough fruit sweetness to give the wine real length and focus. Already approachable (in 2020), but we expect this wine to cellar well for a number of years.

Our 2016 SV Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot has been assembled from two different parcels of fruit harvested from the Omahu Road Vineyard on the Gimblett Gravels. The final assemblage is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon & 49% Merlot. The parcels were handled separately and run off to oak for aging. They stayed in oak until June 2017 when assemblage occurred. Only a small amount of new oak was used (15%). Vintage 2016 was stunning on ‘The Gravels’ and the fruit was in delightful condition. Vinification followed a very traditional Bordeaux model and this has allowed the terroir to shine through. The wine has been bottle-aged for a few years for added complexity.

Food Pairing: This medium bodied, dry red wine is a perfect match for red meats and pasta dishes. Serve at room temperature.