I eagerly look forward to the Gimblett Gravels Dozen: this 13th rendition marks the second in a trio of wonderful vintages with my high expectations being met. Once again chosen by Australian MW Andrew Caillard, this 2020 vintage selection comprises eight blended reds and four Syrahs, which I’ve split for ease into the six lowest and six highest-priced wines. Note that the Trinity Hill is now sold out at the winery, having moved on to the ’21 though some of the ’20 may remain around the traps. The Babich is due for July release and for the Mission you’ll have to wait until next year. 2020 Stonecroft Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah Price RRP $60 Rating Excellent A gamey aspect here, bacon fat, charcuterie, gravel dust, darker notes, some oak too. Sweet fruited lift, perhaps raspberry, rather than a bruiser this is medium-bodied with good flavour persistence and balance. Fleshes out nicely in the glass, savoury notes and textural chewiness growing. Rather drinkable already but I suspect more to come with time. www.stonecroft.co.nz 2020 Squawking Magpie Stoned Crow Gimblett Gravels Syrah Price $49.95 Rating Excellent Fragrant florality vies with gamy charcuterie notes and a little funky quality. Darker fruited, there’s sweet fruit lift to this yet a tangy back drop and grainy tannins bring nice balance. A stayer rather than a sprinter, the wine slowly revealing itself, nice complexity with savoury elements building. The sucrosity evident on the close. Good elements for the future. www.squawkingmagpie.co.nz 2020 Esk Valley Artisanal Series Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Price RRP $24.99 Rating Excellent Bold fruit, dark cherry, blackberry with black tea and dusty qualities. Rich & creamy entry then a sense of crunchiness and freshness. Fruit richness and earthy touches neatly fill out its medium-weight frame lifted by a nice acid backbone. Structure here too, yet this is already drinking superbly. Post reveal, superb value for money. www.eskvalleywines.com 2020 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett Price RRP $39.99 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Cassis/blackcurrant fruit leads, perfumed florality and a touch of spice. Open & inviting, creamy and fleshy, lovely fruit depth and integration adding a stony/gravelly note on nose and palate with time. Delightfully engaging close. Quite a charmer that almost begs to be enjoyed now, though I’m sure this will also age with grace. www.trinityhill.com 2020 Mission Jewelstone Gimblett Gravels Antoine Price RRP $50 Rating Outstanding Dusty gravel, attractive leafy freshness, perfumed florality, fruit neatly in balance. Ripe yet not sweet, powerfully chewy tannins underpin the long, dry close. Tannic grip yes, yet wonderfully balanced, there’s a quiet fruit intensity and seamless flow through the mouth. The tannic structure swells but the fruit keeps pace. Superb, very nicely done. www.missionestate.co.nz 2020 Babich Winemaker’s Reserve Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Merlot Price RRP $34.95 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Blackcurrant, blackberry, fragrance building as it opens up, earthy touches, wood smoke, rosemary. Tauter than the nose might suggest. Powerfully grippy tannins the framework, fruit the flesh to fill it out. The fruit sweetness becomes more apparent with time and while this is very much built for the future and crying out for time, there’s clear potential. www.babichwines.com
