Variety:

Cabernet Franc 50%, Petit Verdot 25%, Malbec 25%

Season:

Growing conditions: A settled albeit slightly cooler than average spring resulted in a good fruit-set. A particularly dry period from December through until the end of February meant that the amount of vegetative growth was very well regulated... the vines looked in perfect balance. However hopes of a dream vintage were dashed by heavy downpours in March and April. This heavy rain both influenced picking decisions and resulted in a reduction in overall volume. 2018 will be remembered as a challenging vintage which has produced a lesser volume of good wines made in a more elegant style.

Harvest:

Hand picked: March-April 2018

Region

Onetangi Valley, Obsidian Vineyard, Waiheke Island, Auckland, NZ

Vinification:

The smallest batches were fermented in open top fermenters with twice daily plunging. The large batches were handled in traditional Bordeaux style fermenters with twice daily pump-overs. The parcels were pressed straight to oak for malolactic fermentation and remained in barrel until March 2017. Oak treatment: 33% new French, 17% new American, 50% seasoned barrels for 11 months.

Analysis:

Alcohol: 13.0%
TA: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.72
Winemaker: Michael Wood
Bottled: February 2019, 90 dozen produced