MILLS REEF (HAWKE S BAY, NORTH ISLAND) www.millsreef.co.nz Mills Reef Winery was established in 1989 by the Preston family. Through commitment and dedication to excellence, the Mills Reef brand has established itself as one of New Zealand s premium labels with a particular reputation for outstanding Bordeaux varietal reds and Syrah. Mills Reef is not strictly a Hawke's Bay winery, except that its vineyard is located in the Bay's Gimblett Gravels appellation. This appellation is strictly determined by the gravely soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River, which was exposed after a huge flood in the 1870's. The climate of the area is relatively dry and warm with summer daytime temperatures between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius warmer than in other Hawke's Bay areas. Elspeth Block 3 Merlot 2002 CSPC# 717977 750mlx6 14.0% Alc./Vol. Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from our own vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. The fruit is Chemical Analysis Acidity: 6.3g/l ph: 3.52 Residual Sugar: g/l 100% Merlot Vintage A sensational warm, dry summer gave us a long ripening period which has produced layers of ripe flavours. The 1998, 2000 and now 2002 vintages have been sensational. With improved viticulture and vine maturity, along with great weather, the fruit from the Gimblett Gravels has got better and better. The 2002 vintage is by far the best we have seen off our own Gimblett Gravels vineyard. Vineyards Mere Road Vineyard Block 3 Harvest The grapes were hand-picked for optimal bunch selection. Primary fermentation was undertaken in two equal lots, one in tank for enhanced fruit-forward flavours and the other in barrel for enhanced oak complexity. Following blending they were aged for 18 months in 1-2 year old French oak barriques. Tasting Notes Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Its velvety texture makes Merlot instantly appealing and an obvious alternative to similar, more tannic Bordeaux varieties. Production 570 cases made Cellaring 5-12 years Scores/Awards 17 points/4 stars - Geoff Kelly, Regional Wine & Spirits NZ - May 2004 Reviews Ruby, some velvet. First impressions of oak and VA detract from the subtle varietal beauty merlot should show, particularly alongside Bordeaux (or Sacred Hill Brokenstone). There is good plummy fruit richness and length, however, within the limitations of its oaky show-pony style. Oakniks will rate this wine more highly. Cellar 5 10 years, but the oak is unlikely to fade away. - GK, Regional Wines & Spirits
Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from our own vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. The fruit is Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 CSPC# 717975 750mlx6 14.0% Alc./Vol. SOLD OUT Chemical Analysis Acidity: 6.23g/l ph: 3.56 Residual Sugar: g/l 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Tim Preston & Paul Dawick Vineyards This densely coloured and generous red was made from ultra-premium grapes grown in our Mere Road vineyard, in the prestigious Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay. Harvest The grapes were hand-picked for optimal bunch selection. The grapes were handpicked on April 24th at 24.4 brix, destemmed, gently crushed and cold-soaked for 5 days. Fermentation was split into two parcels, the first (60% of the wine) innoculated with a selected yeast in a small open top fermenter and plunged twice daily, the second (40% of the wine) fermented with an indigenous yeast in Integrale barrels. The resulting wine received four weeks extended maceration, followed by pressing to barrel, where it was aged for 17 months in 93% new and 7% one year-old quality French oak, with 3 aerated rackings throughout. Bottling took place on 30th November 2007. Tasting Notes This powerful mouthfilling Cabernet Sauvignon is intensely varietal with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and blackcherry, supported by cedary oak and walnuts. It is deliciously soft and silky with fine ripe tannins and a satisfyingly long dry fruit finish. Cellaring Already delicious, it also has magnificent aging potential. Scores/Awards Trophy & Gold Medal - Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2008 Bronze Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2008 93 points - Bob Campbell, Master of Wine 16 points - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com - July 30, 2009 Reviews Young greyish purple look. Warm, ripe nose. Pretty layered and possibly quite Merlotish. Toasty nose and then very dry finish. Not sweet at all, sort of Las Cases like. Drying tannins on the finish without quite enough succulent fruit on the mid palate. - JR, JancisRobinson.com There are only a handful of NZ wines made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon - this is the best. Big, dense red with dark berry, black olive, cedar and slightly minty flavours together with a strong influence of classy oak. Great potential. - BC, Master of Wine Tony Kokoroyannis: Nth AB: Daryl Drainville: Calgary & Sth AB Len Steinberg: Calgary C: 780.974.7765 tony@lanigan-edwards.com C: 403.630.0741 daryl@lanigan-edwards.com C: 403.512.3918 len@lanigan-edwards.com
Elspeth represents our top tier of wines produced from our own vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. The fruit is Elspeth Syrah 2005 CSPC# 717979 750mlx6 14.0% Alc./Vol. Chemical Analysis Acidity: 6.0 g/l ph: 3.53 Residual Sugar: g/l 100% Syrah Vineyards Mere Road Vineyards, in the Gimblett Gravels area, Hawkes Bay. They were hand harvested, destemmed and equal portions fermented in stainless steel tank and French oak barrels. The portions were blended together post ferment and aged in French oak barriques for 18 months, with bottling November 14, 2006. Tasting Notes This dark, fragrant red has distinctive aromas of plum and pepper seasoned with toasty oak. Excellent palate weight and complexity sit in harmony with ripe supple tannins and intense blackcurrant, plum and pepper flavours for a generous, notably concentrated wine with a spicy sustained finish. Cellaring 10+ years Scores/Awards 4 ½ Stars - Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide, 2008 5 Stars - Wine Orbit Review - December 2007 Silver Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007 Bronze Medal - Hawkes Bay A&P Society Wine Awards - 2007 86 points - Bob Campbell, Master of Wine Reviews Dense, peppery and quite oaky red. Fairly grippy tannins leave a drying finish. A full-bodied and long-lived wine with obvious potential. - BC, Master of Wine
Reserve wines are from low-yielding vines producing superior grapes showing intense fruit flavours and pure varietal expression. The winemaking philosophy is to achieve balance of flavour, structure and texture. Reserve Cabernet-Merlot 2007 CSPC# 717974 750mlx12 14.0% Alc./Vol. SOLD OUT Chemical Analysis Acidity: 5.63 /l ph: 3.61 Residual Sugar: g/l 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot Vintage The excellent weather of 2007 growing season allowed the grapes to be harvested during mid-april at ideal ripeness and in excellent condition, with optimal berry and flavour development. Vineyards Mere Road & Plateau Vineyards, in the Gimblett Gravels area, Hawkes Bay. Harvest The grapes were harvested in several parcels at ideal ripeness on 16th April, the Merlot at 24.7 brix and Cabernet at 23.8 brix. The grapes were cold soaked for four days and fermented on their skins in open-top fermenters with twice daily plunging for enhanced colour and flavour extraction. Postferment the wine was macerated on skins for a further 20 days before seven months aging in new and 1 year old quality oak barrels. Bottling was undertaken on 20th of March and April 1st 2008 under screwcap. Tasting Notes This deeply coloured red offers sweet blackberry and boysenberry aromas with hints of herbs and liquorice. Rich brambly and blackcurrant flavours delight on the palate, with cedary oak and mocha highlights. A vibrant silky wine with supple tannins and a lingering finish. Cellaring It is extremely enjoyable now and will reward cellaring for three to five years. Scores/Awards Silver Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2008 Silver Medal - Royal Easter Wine Show 2009 3 Stars - Tizwine.com Winter Warmer Tasting 2009 4 Stars - Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine Feb/Mar 2009 Silver Medal - New Zealand International Wine Show 2009 Silver Medal - Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2009 Top 100 - Warren Barton's Top 100 Wines for 2008 3 Stars - Michael Coopers Wine Buyers Guide 2010 Reviews Youthful in appearance, this had classical blackcurrant and plum flavours on a supple, but intense palate. There was good structure and firm grip underneath, and the wine had good length. - RC, Regional Wines & Spirits Tony Kokoroyannis: Nth AB: Daryl Drainville: Calgary & Sth AB Len Steinberg: Calgary C: 780.974.7765 tony@lanigan-edwards.com C: 403.630.0741 daryl@lanigan-edwards.com C: 403.512.3918 len@lanigan-edwards.com
Reserve wines are from low-yielding vines producing superior grapes showing intense fruit flavours and pure varietal expression. The winemaking philosophy is to achieve balance of flavour, structure and texture. Reserve Syrah 2005 CSPC# 728018 750mlx12 13.5% Alc./Vol. SOLD OUT Chemical Analysis Acidity: 6.40 g /l ph: 3.61 Residual Sugar: g/l 97.6% Syrah, Viognier 2.4% Vineyards The Grapes for this wine were sourced from the Plateau Vineyard and Mere Road Vineyards, west of Hastings in the renowned Gimblett Gravels area. Both are sited on prime soils ideally suited to this rising-star variety in New Zealand. Harvest The super-ripe grapes were harvested on 6th of May at 24.4 brix. After picking, the grapes were destemmed and whole-berry fermented in tank followed by a 2-day cold soak to enhance fruit flavour and tannin extraction. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and was seasoned in quality French Oak Barriques for twelve months, developing complexity and texture. It was then bottled on the 20th of July 2006. Tasting Notes This classic Hawke's Bay Syrah is attractively scented, with intense aromas of blackcurrant, white pepper and spicy cedary notes. A satisfyingly dark, rich wine with mouthfilling blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours balanced with oak complexity and silky tannins. Cellaring Already drinking deliciously, it will continue to develop for 5 years or more. Scores/Awards Silver Medal - Romeo Bragato Awards 2006 3 Stars - Winestate Magazine 2007 4 ½ Stars - Wine Orbit Review - December 2007 Reviews Sweet fruit with pepper and spice influences. A fairly tough wine thanks to solid oak and fruit tannins. Too tough. - Bob Cooper, Master of Wine