Cabernet Suavignon

Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon combine in this outstanding full bodied dry and powerful blend, which is made from hand picked grapes grown in the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District’s Cornerstone and Ngakirikiri vineyards. 

The grapes were fermented with wild yeasts, which provides diverse depth and flavours to the wine, which has flavour notes of black olives, dried herbs and black currant notes. The wine was aged in French oak for 20 months and bottled unfiltered, which accentuates its gritty, smooth, powerful cedar notes.

Here is a wine for the long term cellar... Or decant and enjoy now.

58% Cabernet Sauvignon,  29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc

Savoury and spicy, good complexity, with ripe blackcurrant and plum flavours. Good tannin support.

Chateau Belgrave is a large estate in the Medoc, on the left bank of Bordeaux, a region well known as Cabernet Sauvignon's stronghold. It makes up 46% of this bold, full bodied red, with the balance being 50% Merlot which adds flesh and roundness to the impressive structure of this wine. The inclusion of 4% Petit Verdot adds further complexity, intense colour and supports the tannin structure of this impressive wine. 

Chateau Belgrave is produced by Dourthe Estate, a family owned winery founded in 1840. The family now owns nine estates and 500 hectares of vineyards in Bordeaux.

A great red from one of the great appellations on the left bank of Bordeaux where Cabernet Sauvignon thrives. This is a wine for now and for ageing further; it can evolve positively for up to and beyond 10 years.

Winemaker's note:

"2015 was an exceptional vintage and the weather was consistent which allowed us to grow and ripen grapes to optimum quality. This blend is made of 72% Merlot, 20% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes hand-picked off our Gimblett Vineyard (58%) and Triangle Vineyard (42%). 

After fermentation the wine was aged for 24 months in French oak (42% new), then blended and had a further 3 months on lees in tank. There was no racking which allow the wine to have great volume and weight.

This is a concentrated, medium to full bodied blend. With ripe blackberry and plum characters, fine grained tannins and a fresh acidity all giving the wine a wonderful balance. It will age well and improve for 10 years from vintage."

Vineyard Sites - Cornerstone Vineyard lies at the heart of the renowned Gimblett Gravels viticultural region, strategically positioned at the junction of Gimblett Road and State Highway 50 in Hawke?s Bay. This area is celebrated as New Zealand?s premier Bordeaux red grape-growing region, and it?s easy to see why. The vineyard?s unique terroir, composed of riverbed stones and gravels, challenges the vines, leading them to produce a limited yield of small, intensely coloured, and flavourful berries. The resulting grapes give rise to wines with rich, mouth-filling tannins and a depth of character that speaks to the harsh yet rewarding growing conditions. 

Vinification - The grapes were carefully handpicked, then crushed and fermented in small 3-tonne open fermenters. Each batch was hand-plunged and allowed varying periods of post-ferment skin contact to enhance complexity and structure. After pressing off, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged in a mix of French (90%) and American (10%) oak barriques, adding subtle layers of flavour and depth. 

Tasting Notes - Enticing aromas of freshly sanded wood, new leather, anise, and spice draw you in. On the palate, sweet dark red fruits, plums, and berry pie flavours shine through. Grippy, robust, dry tannins balance a smooth, sweet, slightly charry oak profile. This wine is drinking well now but will develop even more complexity with ageing.

Despite advances in winemaking since our first Shiraz vineyard was planted in 1843, we have no reason to change the traditional Australian style. Langmeil's Sparkling Shiraz Cuvee is a Non Vintage, bottle fermented Shiraz with it's Cuvee' originating from the 1998 vintage. Left on its lees for 24 months and liquored with our own vintage fortified Shiraz, it is a wine for all occasion

Colour: Medium depth, crimson with a red rim.

Aroma: Rich, ripe plum and mulberry jam with a dollop of cream on a fresh scone. What more can I say?!

Palate: The juicy fruits and creamy vanilla mingle on the palate with an amazingly fine bead. Saucy and savoury secondary characters from the older base wines add to the complexity with suede-like tannins and balanced sweetness rounding off the finish.

The second wine of Domaine de Chevalier, L'Esprit de Chevalier shows complexity, depth and power expected from the deep gravel soils of the Graves. In the vineyard and winery innovation is constant, Olivier Bernard and his team are always pushing to improve the wines while showcasing each vintage as it comes. L'Esprit can be enjoyed now or in the next six years where it will age gracefully in the cellar.

Grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Chateau Rieussec R de Rieussec is a great French white blend of Sauvignon Blanc 57% and Semillon 43%, with 20% fermentation in barrels which adds flesh, weight and textural qualities to this classic Bordeaux white wine.

The winery was purchased by Domaines de Barons de Rothschild in 1984 and has since been extensively renovated. While Chateau RIeussec is most famous for its sweet southern French white blends of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc, it also produces outstanding dry whites, such as this stunning release from the 2022 vintage. 

Statuesque Bordeaux red from an outstanding producer; one of our top picks in store for drinking now and for ageing. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the key grapes in the south of France and this one comes from two areas; the Cévennes and the Aude Valley. It's full bodied, dry and has smooth fruit forward flavours balanced by Cabernet's famous structured tannins, which add complexity and grip to the finish. We think this wine rocks great value for money - and tastes approachable right now.

The 2018 Blason de l'Evangile is made up of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc; Merlot was harvested September 19 to October 2, and Cabernet Franc was picked September 25 to October 1. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up open, spicy scents of powdered cinnamon, cloves and aniseed with a core of black cherry compote, warm plums, chocolate box and dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits with tons of evocative, spicy accents, framed by rounded tannins and finishing with a lively lift.

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 91 - 93 (Wine Advocate)

Chateau du Tertre Margaux is one of the estate?s flagship wines. It is silky and elegant, yet powerful and concentrated. The palate is fruit forward with excellent texture, tannin and balance. This wine will age very well in the cellar but is already drinking excellently.