Magnificent pairings whet the appetite of wine lovers. Highly regarded, but contrasting vintages can lead to friendly debate as to which is the ''better'' year.
Following the plush and rich 2013 Hawkes Bay vintage we had the pleasure of another very good year in 2014, which shows lovely definition, and may prove to be even longer lived: only time will tell.
Part two of the Gimblett Gravels selection focuses on the ''Bordeaux'' varieties (with one syrah). Once again, ''The Gravels'' scale the heights.
Price: $50
Rating: Outstanding
Alluring nose with graphite, ripe fruit, plums edging to black fruits. A big, intense wine yet with lovely freshness, highlighting plum, spice and an undercurrent of dried herbs. Initially a touch monolithic, but it opens up enormously revealing superb balance, complexity and endless length.
A complete wine and utterly moreish.
Price: $95
Rating: Outstanding
Dusty nose with leaf, cassis and spices; even a little cracked pepper. This is very elegant, medium weight, yet with no shortage of concentration. There is a quiet sumptuousness of fruit, aligned with fine tannins giving impeccable balance and clear drinkability now. A refreshing leafy element runs through the wine to the very long finish.
Super stuff.
Price: $79
Rating: Excellent
Subtle yet appealingly rich nose with cranberry, oak nuances and dustiness. A cooler edge to the fruit flavours with red berries and cranberry, quite crisply defined in the mouth with brighter acidity. Time brings blackcurrant on the nose, and fruitcake. All the elements are here, just needing some more time to fully integrate.
Potential indeed.
Price: $48
Rating: Very good to excellent
Something a little wild and funky here; mixed berries, Christmas cake, cloves and wet stones. A crunchy mouthfeel, quite rich and powerfully constructed, the sweetness of the fruit very apparent though freshness on the finish. This adds in forest floor/humus nuances with time, finishing with a tangy sweet-and-sour note.
Still very youthful.
Price: $35
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Leafy and fragrant nose, a hint wild with some darker fruit elements. A delicious lip-smacking quality to the powerfully framed fruit with savoury hints; that distinct leafiness a core component running through the wine. Nicely judged tannins and acidity provide a lovely framework for the fruit.
The tannins build over time, suggesting patience is a virtue here.
Price: $120
Rating: Outstanding
Smoky, savoury, licorice, perfume with notes of raspberry and sweet fruit. Mouthfilling and intense, ripe fruit; yet avoiding being overdone with very powerful tannins. Black olives and savoury elements build on the very long finish.
Not to broach now, this definitely needs time to unfurl, and will be fabulous.
