Declaration Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2006

"Declared" as our best blended red from the 2006 vintage. This quality wine comprises 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 22% Malbec. The three varietal components were machine harvested seperately at our Gimblett Road vineyards. The grapes were destemmed with minimal crushing and transferred to closed fermenters. Warm fermentation on skins, with regular pumping over, was employed for maximum colour, aroma and flavour extraction. Some components completed ferment in barriques, whilst the balance was pressed off after post fementation maceration. Following 18 months maturation, regular racking and a rigourous selection process, the components were blended and prepared for bottling.

COLOUR: Dense purple/red
AROMA: Berry fruits, spice and toasty fruitcake
PALATE: Intense, rich berry flavours. Spice and cassis characters are supported by fine tannins. Sweet oak provides backbone and balance.

Technical Data

Alcohol Content

13.5% alc/vol

Soils

Consisting of alluvial gravel overlaid with silty sand of varying depths. The Ngaruroro river laid these soils, incorporating volcanic pumice sands, down centuries ago. The free draining, low nutrient nature combine to help balance the naturally vigourous nature of the the vines.

Vintage Conditions

Flowering and fruit set were uneventful, although frost protection was paramount. Fine and warm summer was follwed by a number of rain events in March, which required careful management of harvesting decisions. Free draining soils ensured the rain was not a problem and clean, ripe fruit was received at the winery with low yields.

Approximately 18 months in French and American barriques