Rabbit Island Nelson Merlot 2016

Wine Analysis

The Vineyards

Our 2016 Rabbit Island Merlot comes from our relatively youthful Edens Road Vineyard. This vineyard is bordered by the Wairoa River and is notable for its exceptionally stony soil structure. The bouldery free draining soil is very harsh on our vineyard equipment, but vital for holding the warmth of the Nelson sun and for ripening grapes.

Winemakers Note

The fruit was harvested in late April 2016, and was fermented in stainless steel open top fermenters, over a two and a half week period. The fermenting grapes were plunged twice daily throughout fermentation to help extract colour, tannin and to build structure into the wine.

The young wine was drained to oak barrels immediately following primary fermentation to begin malolactic fermentation. It was aged in one, two and three year old French barriques for a period of one year. The final wine was blended, stabilised and bottled in August 2017.

Tasting Note

 The 2016 Nelson Rabbit Island Merlot is warm and inviting. Floral notes, berries and plum come together on the nose while the palate is fruit driven with gentle oak spice leaving a long finish.