Spirit of Marlborough 2013 - Library Wine

After a long growing season with a beautiful dry summer and autumn the great pick for these three stately grape varieties happened during our ‘Harvest Weekend’ on the 13th of April. With us were our invited guests, Sommeliers, Restaurateurs and Customers from as far as California to pick the perfect physiologically ripe grapes at our usual extremely low yield of 700g/vine. It was also the first vintage which saw the old Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, planted in 1996 but top grafted with Pinot Gris in 2004, growing back with their original bounty.

A long cold soak of the grapes allowed to extract the beautiful flavours. The must then progressed naturally to a long wild yeast fermentation and extended skin maceration. After gentle pressing, the young wine was transferred into partly new French Barriques to go through the second natural malolactic fermentation and allowed to matured on its fine lees for a total of 24 months. No fining. No filtration.

This vintage reminds us more of the Medoc, maybe St Julien for its elegance, refinement and considerable class. Sumptuous, sophisticated and sexy - this wine has a glorious, flamboyant nose of crème de cassis, black current, elderberries, dark chocolate and that distinguished scent when opening a Havana cigar box. Vibrant with firm tannins, refreshing acidity and structure it offers superb precision and opulence. Juicy on the palate with a huge long finish, this one is made to last forever.