Additional information
Weight | 1 kg |
---|
Weight | 1 kg |
---|
Grown, fermented, matured and bottled at Unison Vineyard
Vintage 2016
Vintage 2016 growing season can be summed up as good, but challengingly erratic. We experienced a cool start to the growing season with the growing degree running below average until mid- January. February was a scorcher, and permitted the ripening of all our grapes to move into the “normal window”. March and April had threats of rain, but on the whole, were fine and warm allowing us to pick healthy grapes in good conditions.
Winemaking – hand crafted with attention to detail.
The grapes for Merlin’s Merlot were hand picked and fermented in small open topped vats. The fermentations were carefully monitored and worked daily by hand. The new wine spent 3 weeks macerating with the grape skins while the tannins and fruit evolved and developed. When a balance point was reached we “devatted” and basket pressed the grape skins. The new wine spent 20 months maturing in oak barrels and puncheons and was bottled on the property in March 2018. Further maturing in bottle for 5 years, release Mar 2023.
Tasting Note
Bold penetrating aromas of roasted black Doris plum, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and a hint of liquorice.
Supple with sustained presence on the palate. Layered flavours of spicy dark fruits, chocolate, and dried herbs.
Great balance with fine tannins that melt on the finish carrying the flavours to persist with freshness and purity.
Drink now and cellar with confidence.
Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one, friend or colleague for the next special occasion.
The following amounts are available.
This voucher can not be used online.
£50 | £100 | £150 | £200 | £500 Available.
Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one, friend or colleague for the next special occasion.
The following amounts are available.
This voucher can not be used online.
£50 | £100 | £150 | £200 | £500 Available.
Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one, friend or colleague for the next special occasion.
The following amounts are available.
This voucher can not be used online.
£50 | £100 | £150 | £200 | £500 Available.
…and Relax by Unison Red Wine 2022, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay
Aromas and flavours of fresh black currant and raspberries, red plum flesh then layers of barrel flavours and baking spices. Taut, youthful, fresh, salivating and dry on the palate with flavours that mirror the bouquet. Tannins have a fine linear quality, a light dusty edge and offer a generous mouthfeel quality. Acidity carries the fruit and spices across the palate, adds a crispness and backbone to the wine. Well made and ready to drink form late 2023 through 2027+.
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews by Candice Chow
And Relax by Unison Vineyard Red Wine 2022, Hawke’s Bay 5*
Clear, dark ruby, lighter on the rim. The nose is vibrant and attractive with succulent blackberry, Doris plum, and a hint of floral and herb. Medium-light bodied, blackberry and Doris plum aromas fill the palate, along with sweet floral, sage, black pepper and a hint of meatiness. Supple tannins lightly dusted the palate with a silky texture. The succulent fruit remains the star of the show, supported by balanced acidity and a lingering finish.
This red wine is fresh, juicy and fun with soft, supple tannin and a moreish finish. Match with a lamb burger and char siu over the next 3 years. Made from Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels, fermented in stainless steel with many whole berries, pressed off after fermentation early with a basket press, and racked a few times over a few months to keep off settling lees and provide aeration. 12.4% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Mar 2023
This will appear in Top 30 Wines Under $30 published mid April 23
Michael Cooper
Unison … and Relax (2022)
The highly drinkable, debut 2022 vintage (4*) is designed to be served at ambient temperature or chilled, as a ‘nouveau wine, ready for summer’ From Syrah grown in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, it is deep ruby, with a floral, spicy bouquet. Medium to full- bodied, with excellent depth of plummy, spicy flavour, supple tannins and a smooth, lingering finish, it’ s already drinking well.
Details
Type: Red Wines
Variety: Branded and Other Red Wines
Vintage: 2022
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★ – 4 Stars
Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one, friend or colleague for the next special occasion.
The following amounts are available.
This voucher can not be used online.
£50 | £100 | £150 | £200 | £500 Available.
Unison Vineyard, situated in the renowned Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district of Hawke’s Bay, stands as a testament to premium New Zealand red grape cultivation. As a small family estate, we take pride in offering a unique and exceptional selection of wines.
When you choose to invest in a case from Unison Vineyard, you have the option to curate your collection by selecting either a variety of unique wines or a uniform set.
Tailor your own case to your preferences, choosing from our distinctive range of wines that capture the essence of our vineyard. Whether you opt for a mix or a uniform selection, each case is a carefully crafted representation of our dedication to quality.
It’s important to note that our cases are available in quantities ranging from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 12. This flexibility allows you to explore our offerings at your own pace, ensuring you can savour the unique character of Unison Vineyard in every bottle.
Grown, fermented, matured and bottled at Unison Vineyard
62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot.
Unison Vineyard is a small Family Estate in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District in Hawkes Bay. Established in 1993, with densely planted vines that are carefully managed for low yield, ripeness and intense flavour. Our red wines are made from 100% Gimblett Gravels fruit grown in our own vineyard
Unison Selection is our Icon wine and from 2009 is always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant with Merlot. It is made from grapes selected from the best parts of the vineyard and crop thinned to a maximum of 12 bunches per vine. It is only made in vintages that are good.
Vintage 2016
Vintage 2016 growing season can be summed up as good, but challengingly erratic. We experienced a cool start to the growing season with the growing degree running below average until mid-January. February was a scorcher, and permitted the ripening of all our grapes to move into the “normal window”. March and April had threats of rain, but on the whole, were fine and warm allowing us to pick healthy grapes in good conditions.
Winemaking
Gentle handling and attention to detail are the hallmarks of our winemaking. We handpick our grapes, then de-stem and lightly crush to just break their skins before they go into small, open topped fermenting vats.
The ferments are worked by hand plunging along with drain and returns to maximise gentle tannin extraction, and extended post ferment maceration allows us to achieve a balance between fruit intensity and tannin structure. After basket pressing the individual component varieties of the 2016 Selection went into barrel. The blend was put together in Spring 2017 and continued to matured in French oak barrels.
Tasting Note
Bold, fragrant aromatics of sweet blackcurrants, crushed dried herbs layered with vanilla, cedar and cinnamon bark.
Bold and precise on the entry to the palate with sustained flavours of cassis, cocoa and graphite. Well knit, lacy tannins dance on the finish.
Elegant and fine, this wine will continue to develop complexity with careful cellaring. This wine will benefit from decanting while still young.
Review: Michael Cooper 5*
No products in the basket.