BABICH WINEMAKERS' RESERVE MERLOT 2007

Grapes:
100% Merlot
 
Region:
Hawke`s Bay - Gimblett Gravels

Winemaker:
Adam Hazeldine

Recommended Food:
The sweet-fruited soft finish makes it an ideal partner for ratatouille, or equally as good with Italian-style meatballs in a garlicky tomato sauce.

Recommended Cellaring:
2-10 years

Production Notes:
Parcels of grapes were thinned to increase concentration of flavour and were harvested by hand.  The crushed grapes were chilled and allowed to soak for 1 week prior to fermentation.  After a total of twenty days in contact with the skins and frequent plunging during the initial fermentation period the wine was run off into a blend of new and old French oak.  After 13 months in barrel the wine was assembled, lightly fined and bottled.

Tasting Notes:
Black Doris plums and berry fruits greet the taster coupled with a lovely level of spice from quality oak.  The palate is mouthfilling with dark fruit and chocolate supported by well-integrated fruit.  Sweet and savoury flavours combine harmoniously and are a perfect foil to the wines structure.

Awards:
GOLD MEDAL
-New World Wine Awards 2009

Reviews:
"Full-flavoured, with good colour depth. Slightly minty bouquet, with a dash of coffee, and some richness and softness on the palate."
-Winestate Magazine, Hawke's Bay Tasting, September/October 2009

"Mouthfilling, with good depth of colour and flavour.  Still youthful, it has a slightly minty bouquet, with a dash of coffee, and some richness and roundness on the palate."
-Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's guide to New Zealand Wine 2010