Alpha Domus Estate The Navigator Hawke's Bay Red Blend 2019

Alpha Domus Estate The Navigator Hawke's Bay Red Blend 2019Softly concentrated with deep and dense aromas of plush red plum, berry fruits, hints of blackcurrant, cocoa, spice, and cedar. Each variety contributes to an exquisitely varied array of aroma and great depth of flavour. The palate is medium full bodied, rich with layers of succulent fruit and chary oak flavours. The long finish with silky, finegrained tannins make this an ideal accompaniment for your beef dishes, richly flavoured foods, and cheeses.

Softly concentrated with deep and dense aromas of plush red plum, berry fruits, hints of blackcurrant, cocoa, spice, and cedar. Each variety contributes to an exquisitely varied array of aroma and great depth of flavour. The palate is medium-full bodied, rich with layers of succulent fruit and chary oak flavours. The long finish with silky, finegrained tannins make this an ideal accompaniment for your beef dishes, richly flavoured foods, and cheeses. Merlot 34.1%, Cabernet Franc 33.7%, Cabernet Sauvignon 26.3%, Malbec 3.1%, Petit Verdot 2.8%.

Designed to be age worthy but also approachable in youth when matched with richly flavoured dishes. Time in bottle will yield further depth of flavour and a wonderful melding of fruit, oak, texture and moreish spice. 10 years + potential.

Fruit for this wine was sourced from our estate vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District. We use a variety of clones mostly grafted on 101-14. All vines are cane pruned and bud reduction, shoot thinning and second set removal performed as required.

Blended from the best blocks in our estate vineyard which have been carefully managed to ensure optimum ripeness along with extra concentration to allow for a long, gentle maturation once bottled. Each block was fermented then matured in oak barrels as stand alone parcels. After at least 12 months initial maturation, each individual barrel was tasted and scored with only the best making the cut for Navigator. As always Merlot plays the lead role in the Navigator blend, giving body, richness and a plump roundness to the mid palate. New  plantings of Cabernet Franc coupled with a good vintage has allowedgreater use of this variety, giving elegance and gentle herbal perfume. Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure, length, and longevity. A good splash of Malbec and Petit Verdot gives highlights of floral violet and boysenberry aroma while deepening the colour with purple hues.