Sophia Gimblett Gravels Vineyard 2016
Trade Tools
New Zealand
Produced entirely from Craggy Range’s Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, nestled on the right bank of the Ngaruroro River, Sophia is a blend of the very best Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec parcels of the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and destemmed before fermenting in closed-top oak vessels. The wine then matures in French barriques.
92 Points
Wine Spectator
2016 vintage
96 Points
jamessuckling.com
2016 vintage
Harvest Note
With strong El Niño weather conditions predicted for the 2015/2016 growing season, many feared the worst for the 2016 harvest. Instead, what occurred was a nearly perfect growing season. Dry conditions were maintained throughout the season, which began with coolish weather during crop set and slow, even ripening as temperatures warmed. We were fortunately not impacted by an abnormally early frost period in mid-April just prior to completion of the harvest.
Tasting Note
Deep darkest red. Aromatically complex with notes of ripe dark plum, violets, an autumnal forest and a touch of smoke. The wine exhibits great focus and intensity with fine tannins layered thorugh a core of dark fruit. The wine carries a real seriousness that underlies its youthful charm.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 58% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon
APPELLATION: Hawkes Bay
PH: 3.68
ACIDITY: 6.2 g/l
ABV: 13.3%
AGING: Matured for 10 months in closed top French oak cuves &stainless steel tanks
Unique Selling Points
- Certified Sustainable, Organic or Biodynamic
- Gimblett Gravels is known as New Zealand's best terroir for Bordeaux blends and Syrah
- Gimblett Gravels is covered by stones that absorb the day's heat to radiate it at night, promoting exceptional ripeness.
- In blind tastings, Sophia has repeatedly placed ahead of top First Growth Bordeaux.
I am fortunate to lead an extraordinary group of people who want to be part of creating something truly magnificent that successive generations can admire and enjoy for years to come. I love our great estates and feel a strong connection to their complexities and subtleties.
Julian Grounds, Winemaker
About the Grape
Merlot
Merlot makes plump, succulent wines to drink young or opulently massive wines for aging. Has silky, blackberry and currant fruit, with spice, earth, tobacco and chocolate notes, and soft tannins.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc usually shows tart red cherry and wild currant aromas and flavors with an herbal, spicy character. In the Loire, esp. Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, this grape shows firm minerality.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is adaptable to various growing conditions, and is known for its low yield and late ripeness. It generally produces full-bodied wines with substantial acidity and tannins.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot makes a dark, firmly structured, tannic wine with superbly balancing acidity, and fresh, full flavors and aromas of spice, pepper and black fruits with notes of violets.
