Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet Merlot 2018

Colour: Deep dark ruby core with a thin purple rim. Aroma: Perfumed with fresh blackcurrant, dark plum and cigar box aromas with a touch of new leather. Palate: Fresh blueberries and wild blackberries, with a fresh roasted coffee bean. A dense full-bodied palate with toasty oak on the finish. Ageing: Perfect for drinking immediately this wine will continue to develop and delight for at least 5 years from vintage but with careful cellaring will continue to develop and please.

Region: Omahu Road, Gimblett Gravels winegrowing region, Hawke’s Bay. Terroir: Soils: Vigour moderating free-draining gravel. Topography: Flat even site with a gradual slope. Climate: Warm, sheltered site.

This wine is a blend of 55 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 41 per cent Merlot and 4 per cent Malbec. Each variety was kept separate during fermentation through to the time of blending. The fruit was held cold for four days prior to ferment to help extract maximum flavour and enhance colour stability. Inoculation took place to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged up to four times daily. When dry the young wines were pressed and then racked off gross lees to 35 per cent new French oak 65 per cent seasoned French oak. The wine underwent a clean malolactic fermentation while ageing in oak for 10 months. It was then gently extracted from oak, blended and carefully prepared for bottling.