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Hillside Malbec Merlot Cabernet Franc

Hillside Malbec Merlot Cabernet Franc

Vintage 2019

Sister to the famed ‘Heipipi The Terraces’, The Hillside blend offers another view of the limestone and seashell laden soils of The Terraces vineyard. It leans more towards red fruit and plum than the distinctive brambly character of its sibling.

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$539.94 NZD

Regular price Sale price $539.94 NZD
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> A case is 6x 750ml bottles.

> Freight included for orders of $150 or more.

Tasting Notes
This dark-fruited and complex wine integrates the structure of Bordeaux varietals with the elegance of Syrah. Flavours tend towards red fruits, plum, dark cherry and spice. Earthy tobacco and cedar notes add further complexity. The wine is soft and mouthfilling with well-ripened tannins and although approachable as a young wine should continue to develop complexity for many years to come.

Vineyards and Winemaking
The Bordeaux varieties were hand harvested and destemmed to a single concrete fermenter while the Syrah, also hand harvested was fermented separately and blended later. The fermentations were conducted with indigenous yeasts and managed with hand plunging. A period of maceration followed to soften tannins and add complexity. The new wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barriques and then given a further 18 months ageing before blending and bottling in March 2021. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Soils And Viticulture
This wine is sourced from the famed “Terraces” vineyard. This limestone-based vineyard on the northwest facing hillside at the old Esk Valley winery site in Bay View has long been known for its ability to make elegant and complex wine. The vineyard is densely planted and dry-farmed with extremely low yields per vine.

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