Red Wine 689 Cellars Submission Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. 689 Cellars is an exciting project based in California with a name inspired by its founders’ travels in Asia where they were struck by the ancient wisdom and traditions which still play an important role in everyday life. The numbers six, eight and nine are regarded as lucky in Chinese culture; six is connected with happiness and assists us in moving through life with luck and success while the symmetrical shape of number eight hints at eternity and unlimited opportunities. Finally, nine is linked to longevity and is seen as the luckiest number of all. All of this good fortune manifests itself in the delicious wines made by 689 Cellars from prime Californian grapes. Their Submission Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust, full-flavoured single varietal wine crafted from Sonoma, Napa, Paso Robles and Lodi fruit. On the nose there are intense notes of cassis, blackberry and crushed cherries while the first sip reveals firm tannins, a generous full body and intense jammy berry flavours which linger long on the palate. Subtle oaky hints blend seamlessly with plum and dark berries, making this a great match for burgers, barbecued ribs or hearty tomato-based pasta dishes.
2019
Red Wine 689 Cellars Submission Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Red Wine Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Te Kahu 2019. Today regarded as one of New Zealand’s premier boutique wineries, Craggy Range was founded in the 1990s by Australian businessman Terry Peabody and Master of Wine Steve Smith. At the time much of the Gimblett Gravels area was owned by cement companies who intended to mine there, but thanks to the perseverance of local wineries the region is today recognised for its exceptional winegrowing terroir. Te Kahu” means the cloak” in the native Maori language and refers to the mist which according to mythology was the cloak with which Hinerakau covered the body of her lover, the chief Te Mata. The fruit for this wine comes from Craggy Range’s estate vineyards in Gimblett Gravels where the warm, dry microclimate and stony soils help produce vibrant, intensely-flavoured wines with plenty of character. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in oak barrels before bottling. Luscious dark berry, plum, and cherry notes define the nose, while the first sip reveals a soft medium body, smooth tannins and rich dark fruit flavours which linger on the tongue. A great easy-going red to enjoy with braised lamb, tomato-based pasta dishes, or a generous platter of charcuterie.
2019
Red Wine Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2019. Decant 1 hour before serving. Regarded as one of New Zealand’s top boutique wineries, Craggy Range is named after the rugged Te Mata mountain peak which looms over the property in Hawkes Bay. With the help of Master of Wine Steve Smith, Australian businessman Terry Peabody founded the estate here in 1997. At the time much of the land in Gimblett Gravels was owned by the cement company who intended to mine it and it was only thanks to the efforts of local wineries that the vineyards prevailed. Craggy Range has a reputation for exceptional quality and they only ever produce single vineyard wines using their own estate-grown grapes. Owner Terry Peabody has previously named this wine, El Sol, as his favourite of the whole range thanks to its lively character and ability to age beautifully in the cellar for decades. The wine is named after the French word el sol” meaning the soil”, a reference to the stony Gimblett Gravels where it begins its life. Grapes for this wine come from the stoniest part of the vineyard which is planted with an ancient Syrah clone originally brought to New Zealand in the 1840s. The deep inky purple hue is complemented by intense notes of wild berries, cassis and dark plum along with hints of lavender, graphite and woodsmoke. On the palate there is a generous full body, firm tannins and a very long finish dominated by dark berries, winter spice and deep notes of sunbaked earth, polished leather, and forest floor.
2019