Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet-Franc

Growing Region: Waiheke Island, Auckland

Chief Winemaker: Stephen White

TASTING NOTE:
Stonyridge Vineyard is a world-renowned Cabernet-blend winegrower, located on the beautiful island of Waiheke, near Auckland. They are dedicated to producing the finest Cabernet blends in the world (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot), combining traditional winemaking with meticulous organic viticulture.

In the glass this wine has an excellent depth of colour, with a deep crimson edge. The bouquet has oodles of berry fruit and cassis, with touches of mint, earth and violets. Nicely floral with harmoniously integrated cedar-cigar box and vanilla-mocha notes.

On the palate a densely structured wine starts to unravel with powerful fruit inside a framework of fine tannin. This wine has layers upon layer of well integrated flavours of fruit and oak, great purity and mineral earthiness. In its youth the wine was very taut and reserved, now with 3 years now in bottle - this wine is showing that this was indeed clearly a classic vintage with huge potential and enjoyment to be had. This wine will delight all those that open it in the next year or so, but will over whelm those with a little more patience and be another outstanding wine from Stephen.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:

Approachable now, but with a constitution to mature in the cellar for another 5-7 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:

This wine pairs well with good quality fresh game, prime cuts of meat and plenty of time to enjoy.

5 Stars - Michael Cooper, Wine Guide 2007.