Newton Forrest Merlot 2006
The Cornerstone Vineyard is situated in the heart of the “Gimblett Gravels” viticultural region at the junction of Gimblett Road and State Highway 50, Hawkes Bay. This region has established itself as New Zealand’s pre-eminent Bordeaux reds and Rhone Syrah grape growing area. The explanation for this lies within the extra warmth of the riverbed stones and gravels in which the grapes struggle to survive and produce only a few bunches of deeply-coloured, intensely flavoured ripe berries with superb mouthfilling tannins.
Vintage 2006 produced what was ideal ripening conditions for Bordeaux reds from Gimblett Gravels. Our summer was superb and its warmth extended into autumns vintage period allowing all grapes to attain full ripeness. By analysis the growing season was 100 Growing Degree Days (G.D.D) up on vintage 2004 – significantly above average. Rainfall through late summer was also above average, occurring mostly in discreet bursts, and had the affect of maintaining vine growth, reducing late season stress and ensuring even ripening of the crop without any significant disease pressure. Harvest began in early April with each variety being hand picked. Each pick was fermented in small 3-tonne open fermenters, hand plunged and allowed varying periods of post-ferment skin contact prior to pressing off the wine for malolactic fermentation and ageing in a mix of French (70%) and American (30%) oak barriques.
Tasting Notes
Superb example of Merlot from Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. It’s a dark, full-bodied wine showing excellent ripeness with flavours of red cherry, spice, chocolate and coffee. A firm finely balanced wine with depth of texture, concentration and structure it should be long-lived. |
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