2013 Legacy Gimblett Gravels Cabernet/Merlot

You need to take deep breaths when tasting, or drinking, this wine. This is profound and gloriously compelling. Concentrated flavours of cassis and plum, with subtle layers of cedar, spice and tobacco, stunningly supported by rich texture and exceptional palate weight. The wine is extraordinarily saturated with gorgeous flavours, but it is not heavy or chunky, just gracious and sophisticated. Jun 2015, www.wineorbit.co.nz, Drink: 2020-2035

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot aged for 19 months in French oak (50% new). Bright crimson. Pale rim. Very restrained but reasonably convincing nose with some salty depths. Very round and well composed. Refreshing and youthful with a particularly dry finish. Really quite subtle. Should age well and be very digestible. Not showy. Though there is a hint of some oak element. Oct 2015, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2018-2030

80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot from the ‘Anthony Vidal’ and ‘Omahu Gravels’ vineyards, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 19 months in 50% new French oak. Very dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on the edge, and youthful in appearance. The nose is very refined with fragrant blackcurrant fruit entwined with plum and liquorice layers, lifted by oak vanilla, unveiling violet floral notes. The aromatics build in intensity and detail with aeration. Medium-full bodied, rich, lush and spicy blackcurrant fruit flavours are lifted by sweet vanilla-like oak, and unfold layers of exotic plum fruit, liquorice and floral elements. The juicy and opulent fruit and oak flavours are underlined by very fine-grained tannins lending elegant structure and grip. The wine flows smoothly to a very long, lush, exotic nuanced finish. This is a rich, plush-fruited Cabernet/Merlot blend with exotic, vanilla-like oak and fine, smooth tannin structure. Match with lamb and game meat over the next 10-12 years. Oct 2015, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz