Goldwater ´Esslin´ Waiheke Island Merlot 2005

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Winemakers Notes

The 2005 harvest was the best red wine harvest on Waiheke since 1987. Summer was hot and the Autumn was dry allowing the red grapes to reach full tannin development.

This wine is made from grapes grown in the Goldwater Estate Waiheke Island vineyard and is from specially selected clones of Merlot privately imported from France. Hand picked, crushed, destemmed and fermented in stainless steel after a short cold maceration, then aged in seasoned 50% new French oak for 20 months.

The 2005 Esslin Merlot is deep ruby in colour, Intensely rich with floral, intense berry and spice flavours. Fine and smooth even at a young age with fine ripe tannins. Broad in the mouth with excellent length, this is a very elegant wine. Consistent with prior vintages, the Esslin is supple and generous, with enough concentration and tannin structure to age gracefully for a number of years.

This wine will cellar well. Best drinking 2009 - 2014.

Region: 100% Waiheke Island
Harvest Date: 2 April – 18 April 2005
Brix at Harvest: 23 - 24 Brix
Residual Sugar: Dry
Titratable Acidity: 6.0 g/L

Critiques

"...is a rare, expensive red ($100 plus) of exquisite texture and harmony."
David Lawrason, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada

"...a hugely impressive wine... the best Merlot ever made in New Zealand.... resoundingly worth the NZ$197 price tag in New York. "
Joelle Thompson, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine

"Supple and generous, a remarkably graceful wine that frames its berry, spice, peppermint and chocolate flavors with elegance, letting the flavors ring true on the lengthy finish. Tannins are fine and beautifully integrated. Drink now through 2009."
(HS) 1999 vintage, 90 point rating
The Wine Spectator, Issue: Nov 15, 2000