Sophia Flashcards
Sophia General Information
$130
A refined and elegant hand-crafted Merlot dominant blend that represents both the vigneron’s art and an inherent understanding of the land, ensuring ‘Sophia’ is the finest expression of the terroir and the people. ‘Sophia’, meaning ‘wisdom’ in Greek mythology, pays tribute to the goddess of knowledge and experience, information and understanding - a philosophy adopted by our winemakers and viticulturists when crafting this wine.
Sophia 2020
GIMBLETT GRAVELS, HAWKE’S BAY 2020
65% Merlot / 22% Cabernet Franc / 13% Cabernet Sauvignon / 14% ABV
Warm and dry through out the entire growing season. Iconic.
Destemmed (100%)
Fermented in Closed top French oak cuves
Inoculated yeast
Matured in French oak barriques (36% new) for 18 months
Fining / Coarse filtering
Cellaring for 10 - 30 years
Deep, garnet red. Blackcurrant, Doris plum and the complexity of butter sautéed chanterelle mushrooms round out an exceptionally lifted palate defined by the sheer concentration of ripe fruit flavours. Sweet plum, redcurrant and blackberry are interwoven with cinnamon and mocha notes. The tannins offer a savoury counterpoint to the sweetness of fruit and the traditional hallmark of being powder fine in texture. This Sophia is sure to be one of the longest-lived since its inception. An instant classic.
Sophia 2019
GIMBLETT GRAVELS, HAWKE’S BAY 2020
Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / 13.5% ABV
Wet up until Christmas, then dry and warm through ripening period. Iconic.
Destemmed (100%)
Fermented in Closed top French oak cuves
Inoculated & wild yeast
Matured in French oak barriques (40% new) for 18 months
Fining / Coarse filtering
Cellaring for 10 - 15 years
Deep dark red. The perfume is intoxicating with ripe blueberry overlaying cinnamon, brioche and a hint of leafy varietal lingering in the background. The palate sits upright and all-encompassing. Tannins are long and silky, flavour concentrated and ripe, the finish endless – the hallmarks of a great Sophia.
Sophia 2018
GIMBLETT GRAVELS, HAWKE’S BAY 2020
Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / 13.3% ABV
Warm and dry summer, with a rain event mid ripening.
Destemmed (100%)
Fermented in Closed top French oak cuves
Inoculated yeast
Matured in French oak barriques (45% new) for 18 months
Fining / Coarse filtering
Cellaring for 10 - 15 years
Deep, dark red. An intensely lifted nose of blackcurrant, mulberry and other autumnal berries, but evident mocha and cinnamon elude to an impending sweetness of the palate. The tannins and incredibly fine and powdery. They carry the volume of fruit effortlessly. While delivering immediate enjoyment with the abundance of flavour, it is clear this a high-quality wine built for time.
