Destinae 2015

Deep scarlet colour and blue tinged, this Destinae appears concentrated on visual appearance alone. The aroma expresses intense berry coulis notes owing to a shorter oak exposure used this vintage. The wine then opens up to express blueberry and subtle pepper notes. On the first taste the forepalate shows blackberry and cherry, but is soon followed by firm and driving Cabernet typicity. Finally, an empty glass and long taste reveals oak characters which are restrained, but support a long finish with touches of graphite, pencil shavings and cocoa.

Much like the 2013 season, 2015 produced an excellent flowering. Hot and dry conditions persisted throughout the summer, interrupted by a few helpful, but moderate, rain events. Fruit development was superb and conditions allowed us to produce some of the best Cabernet we have harvested to-date. As a result the wines show dense concentration and the increased Cabernet yields enabled us to blend more Magna Praemia than normal. The vintage as a whole expresses more blue fruit characters than typical of Waiheke, but the cracking-clay soils still present the elegance and balance we have come to see here at Destiny Bay year-over-year.

10 months in 60% French Oak & 40% American Oak