Gimblett Gravels, or “Ngakirikiri" in Maori, is a small New Zealand appellation demarcated by the rocky soil content. The terroir is great for Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Syrah. Ngakirikiri is powerful, with enough acidity and tannins to scare a dentist. The wine’s dense flavor profile includes black currant, açaí berry, and earthy leather and potting soils. Even with significant air, this wine was incredibly tight. This is a bottle to cellar as it needs further bottle aging to unlock much of the flavor profile. It will be worth the wait.
Villa Maria, Gimblett Gravels (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
By Vince Simmon