Sophia Gimblett Gravels Red Bordeaux Blend

Red and black fruited perfume - Left Bank Bordeaux aromas and flavours. On the palate quite plush yet restrained and not as full bodied as I was hoping for. 2011 was a difficult wet vintage in many parts of Australia. I wonder if it was the same in NZ? Bob Campbell MW said 2011 was “moderately challenging “. in NZ. Nevertheless a polished wine. Postscript: I notice that Jancis compared the Sophia as a “generous antipodean answer to Pichon Lalande “ for the 2013 vintage of Sophia.

Explodes from the glass with black olive, black currant, huckleberry, plums, tobacco leaf, blueberry jam, liquorice, cedar, vanilla and hoi sin sauce. Powerful wine with ample tannin and acid with intense finish and flavour intensity.

Bordeaux blend from a quality Hawke's Bay producer. Good time to open a 2010 but it still has another 5-10 years of good life ahead. Nose of blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries and strawberries...they are in a preserves style, dry fresh & dry florals with black licorice. The fruits on the nose match the palate and are ruby ripe. Touch of black tea, black licorice, soft baking spices; cinnamon & vanilla, soft understated leather, rich turned black earth, dry stones, fresh violets, lavender & nice mellow acidity. The structure, length, balance and tension have developed nicely in the bottle. The long finish is fresh, lush, rich fruits with light earthiness. It would warrant a higher score if it had a little more complexity. Still an enjoyable wine. @ Mangapapa with a real Picasso in the photo.

Great complexity, young, needs at least 4 to 5 years aging. Subtle fresh fruit, not explosive, the mouthfill is structured, delivering great lenght

On the nose, soft, bright, ripe slightly candid fruits of; black cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, dark cherries, light dark earth with fresh & dry dark florals. On the palate, big rich mouthfeel, M+ tannins, black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, leather, dry underbrush, tarry notes, powdery of crushed rocks with a nice, fresh, even, balanced finish with round acidity. Photos of the range and barrel room.

Appealing, aromatic, savory, tart blackberry, menthol, clove nose; tight, delicious, tart black currant, tart berry, light clove palate with good balance; could use 2-3 years; medium-plus finish 93+ points

From the warm and successful 2013 vintage. A Merlot dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon not yet showing its full potential. Plummy with tobacco notes. Fine but persistent tannins. An excellent rendition of a Right Bank claret.

This was quite nice. Big wine. Never had anything from this producer but would love to try some more of their wines.

Classy, trim and sporty. If you are looking for spice, tannins and a structural roller coaster you won't find it. Yet, what a classy puritanical beauty!!

Rich, full and complex and not unlike a top Washington State red Bordeaux blend.