Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke's Bay Merlot 2018

Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke's Bay Merlot 2018French & American oak Ripe plums Spices Soft tannins The 2018 Burnfoot Merlot is an enticing red wine with a velvety texture, showcasing ripe plums, spice, soft tannins and subtle oak. Due to the vineyards northerly aspect and not being irrigated, there is a concentration of flavours. Vibrance is the signature of the 2018 Burnfoot Merlot the wine will evolve for many years it was another good vintage for Merlot in the Tuki Tuki Valley. This 2018

• French & American oak
• Ripe plums
• Spices
• Soft tannins

The 2018 ‘Burnfoot’ Merlot is an enticing red wine with a velvety texture, showcasing ripe plums, spice, soft tannins and subtle oak. Due to the vineyard’s northerly aspect and not being irrigated, there is a concentration of flavours. Vibrance is the signature of the 2018 ‘Burnfoot’ Merlot - the wine will evolve for many years - it was another good vintage for Merlot in the Tuki Tuki Valley. This 2018 ‘Burnfoot’ Merlot has a well-integrated and balanced palate, making it approachable and enjoyable now

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 7th and 12th of April 2018 and averaging 21.5 Brix. It was 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. Time in French and American oak has softened the tannins and given a full rich complexity to the flavours.

Food Pairing: Ideal with homemade pizzas and kebabs with mild herbs & spices.