Country of Origin: New Zealand
Region: Hawkes Bay
Type: Red Wine
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2019
Size: 750ml
Alcohol Volume / ABV: 14.5%
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry
Why We Love This Wine
The Trinity Hill Story began in 1987 when Winemaker John Hancock met Robert & Robyn Wilson over a bottle of John's award-winning Chardonnay in the couple's Bleeding Heart Restaurant in London. Convinced that they could produce world-class wines in this region of New Zealand, the concept of a new Hawkes Bay Winery was born. They recognized and took advantage of the outstanding potential of Hawkes Bay's Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district as Trinity Hill bacame one of the early pioneers here planting vines on a barren plot, that was formerly the Ngarurono River bed, in 1993. The traditional Hawkes Bay grape varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Merlot were planted initially with Syrah & Viognier soon following as they believed the terroir was equally suited to these Southern European grape varieties. The first Trinity Hill Gimblett Road Wines of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, and Syrah were 1st released in 1998 to critical acclaim and a number of awards. Showing a robe of dark purple & magenta colors, the nose reveals intense aromas of ripe blackberries & black currants complemented by a perfume of lovely florals and trace hints of cedarwood, vanillin oak, & toasty brioche. On the palate, it is rich & concentrated while retaining elegance, structure, & restraint endemic in great Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. Pure black fruit flavors, savory oak nuances, a mouthwatering acidity, & fine-grained tannins meld seamlessly in a perfectly balanced & textured palate leading to an exceptionally long finish. This wine will further evolve in the bottle and will cellar well over the next 15 years.
Winemaker / Tasting Notes
From a site originally earmarked for a prison but "better suited to vines rather than villains", the very classy 2019 vintage is dark & full-bodied with black currant & spice flavors showing lovely ripeness, density, and fine, supple tannins. Still in its youth, this is a well-structured red with obvious aging potential - best drinking from 2023 onwards.
