Hans Family Estate - Zweigelt 2016

Immerse in this tastebud sensation with its magnificent dark purple colour! Sweet and savoury like a ‘Black Forest Gateau’ in a bottle! Wonderful aromas of dark chocolate, juicy ripe Damson plums, boysenberry and prunes with spicy undertones. The palate releases hints of black pepper, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs and liquorice. A flavour powerhouse and a highly complex wine with a great lively acidity, elegant structure, soft tannins and a lingering finish. Built to last….

Vineyard: Wairau Valley - Rapaura Prime location. One of the warmest sites in the Wairau valley, special micro-climate from adjoining Wairau river. Naturally frost protected.

Soil Type: Shallow (<45cm) stony, gravel and sandy soil. Well drained, developed from stony alluvium.

Hand-picking only perfectly healthy grapes allows for long cold soaks for a slow, soft extraction of colour and flavours from the grape skins. The must then went naturally through a wild fermentation for a true expression of the grape variety and its terroir, as it is not influenced by added yeast. In total, the must was left 21 days on the skins before being pressed and transferred into French oak barriques (40% new) for the natural malolactic fermentation.

The young wine was matured for a long 18 months in the same barrels making it a contender for a long life. Unfined & unfiltered to retain the great flavours. Natural sediments may show.