From this boutique Martinborough label comes this offbeat red blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. The Pinot Noir comes from the biogro-certified Grava vineyard, just south of Martinborough, with the Sangiovese coming from the biogro-certified Osawa Vineyard in the Mangatahi subregion of Hawkes Bay. Hand-picked, destemmed to fermenter and inoculated with a pied de cuve. The Sangiovese spent three days on skins for a partial carbonic fermentation.
A pale ruby colour in the glass. A bouquet of bright red fruits – cherry, pomegranate, rosehip, elderberry, underpinned with oriental spices, woody herbs and a little rose petal floral. Fruit-forward to taste, with tart acidity and with a bright crunch through the palate. A nip of tannin adds complexity and grip to the back of the palate, and there’s a nice savoury element that grows and adds some tapenade, anise and negroni notes too. Serve this with a light chill and watch it unfurl as it warms. 92pts
