BABICH WINEMAKERS' RESERVE MERLOT 2004 

Overview:
Regular rainfall during the growing season and a warm dry autumn, combined with low cropping level, have produced a ripe and generous wine.

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

Winemaker:
Adam Hazeldine

Recommended Food:
Sits happily next to slow-cooked food like lamb-shanks, or roasted cervena rump with berry sauce.

Recommended Cellaring:
3-10 years

Production Notes:
The two parcels of grapes were harvested by hand at 23.4 and 24.4 brix respectively.  The crushed grapes were chilled and allowed to soak prior to fermentation in open vats.  After over a month 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 14 months in barrel the wine was assembled, lightly fined, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:
Warm bouquet, suggesting blueberry, plum and vanilla with a hint of chocolate and spicy oak.  On the palate we find more fruit and spice and a savoury earthiness.  A touch of cocoa lingers.  Stucturally the wine is fullish, even and dense with pleasingly fine and coating tannins, with a long finish.

Reviews:
"Deep, dark, cerise trimmed red. Rich, almost meaty aroma with a hint of beef-stock about it. Very suave, easy paced impact with deep flavour and a cool demeanour. Mid palate warms up nicely, becoming inviting and slightly chewy, with some fruit succulence and a dry, firm grip. Firm wine that promises to age well, with good flavours and an air of intensity."
-Keith Stewart, Sommnet website, April 2007

"Cedary, brambly, slightly leafy bouquet. Tightly structured, in a fairly lean style with firm tannins."
-Winestate Magazine, Sept-Oct 2007

"From their Gimblett Road vineyard, this Merlot displays berry fruit and savoury notes with a hint of cigar box. Showing developing complexity on the palate with a fruity mid palate and firm tannins giving good structure. At its best: now to 2008."
-WineOrbit Review, August 2007

"Grown in Gimblett Road, Hawke's Bay, and matured in French oak casks (old and new), the 2004 vintage is a cedary, brambly, slightly leafy wine, tightly structured, in a fairly lean style with firm tannins."
-Michael Cooper's A Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines 2008