MILLS REEF ELSPETH ONE 2013

The name “Elspeth One” signifies the triumphant union of four classic French varieties into one truly outstanding experience. The Mere Road and Trust Vineyards encapsulate the very essence of Gimblett Gravels winegrowing with innovative winemaking.

Powerful, yet refined, this Hawkes Bay red is a stellar varietal blend of 41% Syrah, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grapes were handpicked with care between 3 April and 27 April 2013, at an average of 22.4° Brix. On arrival at the winery they were destemmed, and the must cold soaked for up to 5 days for enhanced colour and flavour extraction. Fermentations in integrale barrel and open top tanks were initiated with yeasts specially selected to highlight individual varietal expression, with a small fraction allowed spontaneous indigenous fermentation.

Post-ferment, the wines were macerated while still on skins for up to 23 days, when the winemaker deemed that the ideal tannin structure had been achieved. The wines were pressed then sent to premium French barrels, of which 35% was new wood. After 20 months, only barrels showing outstanding character were designated Elspeth One, and blended on 21 October 2014. A light fining followed, and the wine pad filtered before bottling took place on 30 January 2015 under cork closure.

Elspeth ONE is an exceptional wine produced only in exceptional years, comprising a judicious fusion of Syrah and the classic Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This ‘vintage of a lifetime’ wine is deep inky purple in colour, with a rich complexity of blackcurrant, brambly fruit, violets, smoky notes, and layers of chocolate, spicy oak and aniseed. Delicious now, it will also reward immensely with cellaring.