Trinity Hill, The Gimblett, Gimblett Gravels

Lovely big complex nose of herbs, blackcurrant pastil and more. Good fruit outweighed by overly dry tannins. Enjoyable. At its peak.

Showing sines of age. Herbs, red cherry, and mint flavors with a leathery finish. A bit thin.

Hawkes Bay, NZ, Bordeaux Blend 2014 Trinity Hill The Gimblett ($20 Garagiste in 2020). Mid-garnet, rim variation, viscous (13.5 alc.); 49% Cab Franc, 39% Cab Sauv, 9% Merlot, 7% Malbec; herbaceous, sharp red fruit, smokey, mint nose; mid acid/tannins; semi-long red and black fruit finish. w/burgers. 16.5/91.

Medium-full-bodied, medium tannins. Dry to the point of being gritty. Needs some meat, any red meat. 13% ABV. 88+

Deep dark center, red rim with very modest signs of age. The Cab Franc (39%) gives this a more plummy and leafy nose, mixed with some ground coffee and ashes. Smooth, ripe damsons and blueberries, a little vegetal, charred oak on the finish, moderate tannin and acidity, good length. Excellent NZ red blend (mainly Cab S and Cab F), good now but will last and maybe improve a little over the next couple of years. A good buy at $25.

Lovely with beef braise

Decanted and enjoyed with spicy chicken stir fry. Although familiar with this renowned “Bordeaux styled” grape growing region, this is my first bottle from this area. Medium bodied and medium alcohol. Beautifully aromatic showing red florals, red currants, mixed ripe red fruits, herbal tea, and crushed stony black rock. Palate reflects slightly grippy tannins, cassis, candied plums, ripe cherries, fresh blueberries, black pepper, coffee, green mulchy soil and graphite. In a evolutionary phase with the structural components still trying to …

Dark red color. Funky fermented fruit aromas. Earthy cherry fruit flavors with good acidity and leather. Lengthy finish.

It’s kind of like a teenager. It’s got all the right elements for success, but it’s really awkward and disjointed at the moment. If the flavors integrate and the tannins smooth out, this should be something special.

Notes after two hours in decanter. Ruby color, clear and sound with no sign of age or sediment. Generous bouquet of cassis, plum, both red and blue berries, baking spice, and a hint of licorice. Just below medium bodied on the palate with the alcohol perfectly in check. It has bright acidity, obvious tannins, and a nice stone/mineral lift but there’s some awkward moments along the way, too. A fairly long and haunting finish. Another factor in its favor was …

A nose filled with cassis, ceder wood, pencil shaving. On the palate, a Bordeaux like wine but with slightly more acidity. Otherwise, ripe dark fruit, souple but present tannins and quite balaned. Good finish. Really enjoyable and ready to drink. At 20 GBP in bond, good value for money. The labels says: "particularly good food match with red meats". Could not agree more.

Plum, red pepper, black pepper, cranberry and white flowers. Nicely concentrated, with a medium finish and cottony tannins with grip. This seems ready and of its own style. Quite clean. Drink now - 2029.

New Zealand London Annual Trade Tasting (Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls) : 49% Cabernet Franc, 39% Cabernet Sauv, 9% Merlot, 3% Malbec The nose is rich and impressive, filled with ripe red and black fruit, sweet spices and oak derived notes. In the palate the oak seems more upfront, the spicy element is more obvious, young, slightly grippy tannins, dense red and black fruit core, med body and med to long finish. Nice future ahead 89+ for now