Craggy Range "Te Kahu" 2021

REGION: Gimblett Gravels | New Zealand
GRAPES: 49% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot
PH: 3.57
ACIDITY: 6.24
ABV: 14%
AGING: 16 months in oak barriques, 18% new

Deep crimson red with a concentrated nose of cassis, black olive and dried tobacco. The wine has a lovely energy amplifying the red fruits and liquorice characters framed by dark chocolate laced tannins. Classical structure and a perfect example of a Bordeaux style blend from the Gimblett Gravels.

Terrific paired with red meat dishes.

The fruit for Te Kahu is grown in the Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, which has one of the warmest, driest, most sundrenched climates in New Zealand. Stony gravel in the soil forces the vines to fight for water, giving the grapes a particular vibrancy. Fruit is hand harvested and destemmed before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is matured in oak barriques before bottling.

1 to 10 years from vintage

A very warm spring brought forward the growing season. A mild summer but with minimal rain days, producing low yields.