An intense bright-dark crimson, Estate Cabernet/Merlot ’20 shows immediate ripe raspberry, wild blackberry and black plum, all set against dark chocolate and velvety tannins. Sumptuous layers of flavour run from rich fruit to sandalwood, French Vanilla, and pipe tobacco. With power, presence and length, Estate Cabernet/Merlot ’20 delivers great pleasure right through its palate.

The individual parcels of each variety from each plot were de-stemmed before a traditional warm fermentation, followed by extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were pressed, returned to tank for malolactic fermentation, then run off to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for 12 months’ maturation before blending. The wines were regularly topped and racked throughout maturation, blended and traditionally egg-white fined before bottling. The final blend is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc.

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Havelock Hills, Hawke's Bay.