Merlot & Cab Franc '24

Haiku:

Fresh Boysenberries 
Black Licorice & Warm Spice 
Minerality 

Winemakers Notes:

Our ‘24 Merlot & Cabernet Franc is a 85/15 blend. 2024 was a glorious summer where picking dates were decided when the fruit was perfect and not dependent on rain events throughout March and April. The resulting wines are some of the best we’ve made, rich, elegant, balanced and super tasty.

The fruit was hand-picked on two separate days. Once back in the winery the grapes were destemmed into open topped fermenters where they underwent a ‘wild fermentation’. A daily aerative pumpover each morning followed by a gentle punch down in the evening was carried out over the 10 days of ferment. Once dry the wine continued to macerate on skins for a further 3-4 weeks. The wine was then pressed off the skins and put to seasoned oak barrels for 10 months.

Lifted violets, damson plum and cocoa saturate the nose along with myriad spices including cinnamon, cardamon and coriander seeds. Very generous aromatically rewarding repeated engagement. The palate is rich and full, with presence of flavour throughout. Black Doris plums and dark cherries are in abundance as well as dark chocolate and iron mineral qualities.

This wine is a delicious example of what the Hawke’s Bays Bridge Pa Triangle can offer in excellent vintages. We believe this wine will age gracefully through to 2030 and beyond if cellared carefully.

Vineyard: Lesley’s Vineyard
Sub region: Bridge Pa Triangle
Variety/Clone: 85% Merlot/481 & 15% Cabernet Franc/Erindale

Reviews:

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

94/100 ★★★★★
Wonderfully ripe and fragrant, the wine shows blackcurrant, Black Doris plum, thyme, clove, and toasted nut aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight and silky flow, splendidly framed by layers of polished tannins, finishing persistent, and structured.

Cameron Douglas - Master Sommelier

91/100 Premium
Classic Zaria style with a plush core of dark berries, roasted plum and black olive scents, layers of baked clay and some wood spices lead to a palate of the same. Moderate tannins and decent acid line carry the core red fruits and spice ideas. Balanced and well made with a fresh boysenberry finish. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2030.