Sophia Gimblett Gravels 2021
Trade Tools
New Zealand
Produced entirely from Craggy Range’s Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, nestled on the right bank of the Ngaruroro River, Sophia is a blend of the very best Merlot, Cabernet Franc, parcels of the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and destemmed before fermenting in closed-top oak vessels. The wine then matures in French barriques.
94 Points
Wine Advocate
2021 vintage
Judges Selection Best in Show Merlot Varietal
TexSom
2021 vintage
Harvest Note
A very warm spring brought forward the growing season. Summer was mild but with minimal rain days, producing low yields.
Tasting Note
Deep, garnet red with aromas of black currant, plum, thyme and sage. The palate is lifted with plum, redcurrant and blackberry interwoven with cinnamon. The tannins offer a savoury counterpoint to the sweetness of fruit and the traditional hallmark of being powder fine in texture.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 77% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc
APPELLATION: Gimblett Gravels
PH: 3.65
ACIDITY: 5.6
ABV: 14%
AGING: Aged 17 months in French oak barriques, 33% new
Unique Selling Points
- In blind tastings, Sophia has repeatedly placed ahead of top First Growth Bordeaux.
- Gimblett Gravels is known as New Zealand's best terroir for Bordeaux blends and Syrah
- The stony vineyard absorbs the day's heat and radiates it at night, helping ripeness.
I am fortunate to lead an extraordinary group of people who want to be part of creating something truly magnificent that successive generations can admire and enjoy for years to come. I love our great estates and feel a strong connection to their complexities and subtleties.
Julian Grounds, Winemaker
About the Grape
Merlot
Merlot makes plump, succulent wines to drink young or opulently massive wines for aging. Has silky, blackberry and currant fruit, with spice, earth, tobacco and chocolate notes, and soft tannins.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc usually shows tart red cherry and wild currant aromas and flavors with an herbal, spicy character. In the Loire, esp. Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, this grape shows firm minerality.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is adaptable to various growing conditions, and is known for its low yield and late ripeness. It generally produces full-bodied wines with substantial acidity and tannins.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot makes a dark, firmly structured, tannic wine with superbly balancing acidity, and fresh, full flavors and aromas of spice, pepper and black fruits with notes of violets.
