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89POINTS
16¼/20
Grand Amateur Merchant 2018
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandGrand Amateur is Sam Harrop MW's line of wines from sourced fruit around New Zealand, made in ways to make one question what they thought about NZ wine. This cabernet franc is from Hawke's Bay's Bridge Pa Triangle region, and the Howell Family Vineyard. Destemmed whole berries were fermented in stainless, and gently pressed into old and new 300L Hogsheads for 11 months before the final blend and bottling without fining. Dusky plum, tobacco, wild blackberry, cocoa and fragrant vanilla bean swirls on the textural palate, one overlaid with a thick veil of iris and violet perfume. Tannins are smoothed and elongated, with a slight nubby grip to the finish.Tasted: 12 October 2019Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| NZ | $39.00 | 750ml | NZ |
