PURIRI HILLS POPE 2015

Accolades:

98/100 – Bob Campbell MW (2014 vintage)

Tasting Note: 60% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Carmenère, 4% Malbec. 2015 was an ideal vintage with generous fruit and excellent conditions. Puriri Hills’ top wine emulates the supreme opulence and elegance of a Grand Cru right-bank Bordeaux, Pomerol specifically. This is reflected in the seductive, perfumed nose, which unfurls layers of complexity over time in the glass, with red fruits, florals, fig, truffle and spice box. The texture on the palate is show-stopping, magnificently pulling off a distinctive balance of apparent weightlessness with persistence. Hugely long-lived.

Winemaking Notes: In the winery, bunches were 100% destemmed and 80% crushed into oak cuves or stainless steel open-top fermenters. Ferments were cold soaked for 4-5 days to allow wild yeast development, then inoculated with oenological yeasts. Total time on skins ranged from 3-4 weeks depending on the varietal and the character desired. Free run wines were put to barrel and marc was lightly basket pressed. All wine was barrel- aged in French oak, about 30% new, for ca. 22 months before final blending. It was not sterile-filtered. It was bottled under cork on the estate and aged in bottle for three years before release.

Alcohol Volume: 13.0%

Variety: Bordeaux blend