JANUARY - New Zealand Merlot
The Region: Located on the country’s most easterly tip and closest to the international dateline, Gisborne boasts the world’s most easterly vineyards and the first vines to see the sun each day. The region receives high sunshine hours on coastal plains that are sheltered from the west by a range of mountains. Well-drained alluvial loams over sandy or volcanic subsoils help moderate fertility, and produce grapes of intense character and aroma.
The Wine: Dry and medium bodied with a soft, supple fruity palate of boysenberry, plums, redcurrant and ripe black cherries, this Merlot has a wonderful spicy aroma, accentuated with light warm oak and a rich, round mouthfeel, leading to a long, elegant finish.
The Food: This Merlot is an excellent choice to pair with poultry, grilled meats and especially rare prime rib. Other foods, such as tomato-based pasta sauces or lamb chops also complement the tannins in this wine. With it’s initial palate of soft, moderate tannins and bright fruit, it’s tempting to drink this Merlot immediately, to savor the rich, concentrated plummy flavors. However, the tiers of red currant, raspberry and black cherry notes won’t show until six months and they’ll eventually evolve into a deeply flavored and majestic wine, building in depth for two to four more years of age, and holding for several more, gaining a lithe character of melded fruit and lushness from the soft tannins.
Sweetness Code: 0 (Dry) Each kit comes with appropriate labels. |
