Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke's Bay Merlot 2019

Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke's Bay Merlot 2019French oak Black Doris plum Wild strawberries Soft tannins A deep dark red colour, with a youthful magenta hue. Twenty years ago the Burnfoot label was launched into an over supplied Merlot market, and it sold well. That trend still continues today. The 2019 Burnfoot Merlot exhibits ripe Black Doris plums, blackcurrants, wild strawberries, along with infused oak and soft tannins. The Burnfoot Vineyard is grown in the Tuki Tuki Valley on the northern

• French oak
• Black Doris plum
• Wild strawberries
• Soft tannins

A deep dark red colour, with a youthful magenta hue. Twenty years ago the ‘Burnfoot’ label was launched into an over supplied Merlot market, and it sold well. That trend still continues today. The 2019 ‘Burnfoot’ Merlot exhibits ripe Black Doris plums, blackcurrants, wild strawberries, along with infused oak and soft tannins.

The ‘Burnfoot’ Vineyard is grown in the Tuki Tuki Valley on the northern side of the Tuki Tuki River opposite Te Mata Peak. Translated, Burnfoot is the property with the stream crossing its foot. Trained on classical VSP trellis system, on free draining soils, the Merlot obtains excellent levels of ripeness, with good colour intensity, bunches of clean fruit, and ripe tannin development.

Harvested fruit arrived at the winery on the 4th and 7th of April 2019. The bunches were destemmed and crushed into stainless steel tanks. Fermentation immediately followed, at temperatures between 25°- 30°C. After 3 weeks of maceration, the wine was then pressed and underwent MLF. Then around 12 months in French oak barrels has softened the tannins and given a rich complexity to the flavours.

Food Pairing: It is well integrated with a balanced palate making it approachable and enjoyable now, and a delight with lamb, beef or earthy vegetarian cuisine.