Spirit of Marlborough 2012 - Limited Release
Regular price
$124.00
Sale
A Rare Library Release for Our 30th Anniversary
To celebrate our 30-year legacy, we are proud to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the 2012 Spirit of Marlborough, a vintage that has been carefully held back for this special milestone. This exceptional Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend, comparable to the finest 'Grand Cru' Pomerol, is available at a rare promotional price of $124 (normally $164). With a stellar 96/100 rating from James Suckling, this wine delivers an unparalleled depth of flavour and elegance, inviting you to indulge in its heavenly allure. A must-try for all wine enthusiasts and collectors, this release is the perfect way to mark a significant chapter in our winemaking journey.
Vintage 2012
The cooler 2012 vintage yielded a prolonged growing season, albeit with significantly reduced volume. Unusually chilly spring conditions disrupted flowering. However, the consistent warmth of late summer and autumn, characteristic of Marlborough's maritime climate, facilitated optimal grape maturation. Handpicked at a mere 400g per vine, these exceptionally concentrated grapes boast captivating aromas, destined for a truly exquisite fine wine crafted for eternity.
Hans' Winemaking Comments+
‘Perfectly healthy, destemmed grapes allowed for a long cold soak to extract the superb flavours and beneficial antioxidants of the skins. Allowing the temperature to rise, the must naturally progress through a long wild natural fermentation for a true expression of terroir and place. After some time on post maceration, the young wine was gently pressed and transferred into partly new French Barriques for a natural second malolactic fermentation. The minimal oxygen exchange over a 24 months of maturation in the same barrels made all the difference. The wine and wood had time to marry together to form a richer, more complex and textured wine, able to age for many years in the bottle. No fining. No filtration. Natural greatness.’
Tasting Note+
A vintage matured for over a decade to offer wine lovers an unique wine experience. The deep, dark colour already reveals the power of a stately wine. The incredibly sweet dark fruit engulfs with alluring blackberry, damson and lots of spice. The palate is pure elegance and purity. Vibrant, juicy acidity and fine tannins are beautiful balanced. There is finesse, detail, precision and complexity, harmony and grace. A mouth-watering length and freshness promises a long age for this seductive, youthful Bordeaux blend. Tasted August 2022.
Technical Data+
| Varieties | 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Rootstock | Cabernet Franc - 3309/101.14 Merlot - 101.14 / 5BB / Riparia Gloire |
| Vines Planted | 1996 |
| Soil | Shallow (<45cm) stony, gravel and sandy soil. Well drained, developed from stony alluvium. |
| Planting Density | 5,500 vines/ha |
| Yield | <1.5t/ha |
| Alcohol | 13.8% |
| Residual Sugar | <1g/L |
| Ageing Potential | 20+ years (if kept at optimum temperature - <14 degrees) |
| Bottles Produced | 1,320 |
Food Matching Suggestions+
Perfect with hearty dishes like a fine roast, grilled meat, cheese. But to be honest, this wine is a celebration in itself...
Industry Reviews+
James Suckling - 96 points!
'What a beautiful aged red with plum, cedar and tobacco aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with firm yet fine tannins and racy at the end. Linear and focused with lovely complexity and subtlety. From organically grown grapes.' Tasted March 2023
A blend of 40% merlot, 40% cabernet franc and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Bottle-aged for eight years before release. A mellow, mature red with savoury, beef tea, 'forest floor' and subtle dark berry, spice and baked-earth flavours. Good drinking now but no rush. Bob Campbell