A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from Hawke’s Bay – bringing together the noble grape varieties of Bordeaux and Tuscany. The 38% Sangiovese is from the Osawa Vineyard, and 62% Cabernet from the Cornerstone Vineyard, making it effectively a New Zealand ‘Super Tuscan’.
A dense garnet-ruby red in the glass. The bouquet is an exquisite marriage of the two varieties, with cherry, plum, orange rind and medicinal herbal notes wedded to blackcurrant, elderberry, cigar box and pencil shavings. Perhaps lighter across the palate on first taste than expected, but there is quickly some muscle, sinew and then tannin grip to show. Acidity is bold and fresh, but the spine and structure is well-balanced across the multiple elements at play here.
Quite tight and youthful, but built for the long haul – the potential is haunting and you get just a glimpse of it so far. Interestingly – Ollie’s straight Sangiovese bottling has developed immensely in the year since I first tried it… and I’d expect this rare, brave and exceptional wine to do the same.
The back of the palate is where things get interesting – when the tension shown throughout ebbs, and a velvet texture at the end is rewarding and pleasing. The finish is elongated, with a playful jostle of sweetness and drying. 96pts
