We have incorporated some of the best regions in France, drawing upon our network of growers from Rhone, Roussillon, and Bordeaux. Our commitment to quality has enabled us to secure fruit from exceptional old vine blocks in revered sub-appellations. <br><br> <b>Blend</b><br> Grenache, Syrah, and assorted Bordeaux varietals <br><br> <b>Winemaker Notes</b><br> A dominant nose of red raspberries and wild strawberries, which leads into notes of cranberry, cherry, and rhubarb compote. The wine is fresh and lively with bright acidity, smooth texture, and chewy tannins. <br><br> <b>Aging</b><br> Barrel aged 10 months prior to release

Opens with aromatic notes of tobacco, cigar box, and ripe plum, and leads to an opulent palate of dark berries, earth, hints of spice, and sweet tobacco with a lengthy, luscious finish.

The base of our blend is comprised of fruit from vineyards in the heart of the Wairau Valley, with its traditional passionfruit and crisp grassy flavors. This component is complemented by the second wave of plantings in the ever expanding Awatere Valley, which is noted for the minerality and elegant characteristics the fruit gains from the region's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. For the balance of this wine, we have sought out fruit from the southern valley of Waihopai, where the gravel soils, and later, cooler ripening climate produce Sauvignon Blanc characteristics that provide the final layer of complexity and brings balance to our inaugural release of NZ. In the glass, a brilliant pale yellow reminiscent of white currants; the wine opens with an intense bouquet of gooseberries, feijoas, and ripe tropical fruits. The bright entry of fresh cut grass and preserved lemon lead to passionfruit pot de creme showcasing a long finish of fresh herbs and clean minerality.