Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from our own vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. The fruit is hand-picked and only under the Elspeth label when fruit is of exceptional quality. Our winemaking team share the philosophy of a hands-on, no expense spared approach to produce these fine award winning wines. The range is limited to chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux style reds 

This distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon was made from ultra-premium grapes grown on nineteen year old vines in our Mere Road Vineyard, located in the celebrated stony Gimblett Gravels district of Hawke’s Bay.
The grapes were handpicked at ideal physiological ripeness and balance on 17th April at 21.6° Brix.

The fruit was destemmed, retaining whole berries which were cold-soaked for two days then inoculated with selected yeast. The cap was plunged twice daily throughout ferment, until dry.

The wine was macerated on its skins for a further 12 days, then pressed to barrel and aged for 18 months in quality 63% American and 27% French oak (of which 27% was new wood) with one gentle aerated racking. The final wine came together in November 2015 and was egg white fined, followed by a pad filtration prior to bottling under screwcap on 18th December 2015.

This elegantly styled Cabernet Sauvignon from our Mere Road vineyard showcases vibrant blackcurrant and fruit-of-the-forest flavours, married with leather, spice, and hints of dark chocolate and liquorice. Medium bodied with ripe supple tannins, this is a beautifully poised wine for immediate enjoyment or to reward cellaring. 

AWARDS TO DATE 

Wine Orbit / Sam Kim          95 pts           July 2016