…a broad appeal

I always have fond memories when I taste a wine from Hawke's Bay. As I spent my informative years growing up in Hawke’s Bay in the 1980's - along with working summer picking jobs across the region. And then from the late 80's visiting family and friends on numerous occasions every year since. So I can say with confidence that I know the area and wines well. Regards Trinity Hill, I remember seeing the concrete walls for the winery and cellar-door going up in the early 90's and meeting Warren in 1997 soon after he started at the winery.
This is a blend of Marsanne sourced from the Tin Shed Vineyard and Viognier from the Gimblett Estate Vineyard. Both are situated in the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing area, which is a sub-wine-region within Hawke’s Bay, that has been defined by its distinctive stony soil type. Marsanne and Viognier are the traditional white varietals found in the Rhône Valley of France. Marsanne can provide gentle honeysuckle flavours plus good acid structure and tension to balance the more generous nature of Viognier, which typically provides apricots and jasmine aromatics and a voluptuous mouthfeel - and both naturally work so well together in this engaging expression.
The hand-harvested fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed and immediately transferred to oak barrels. An indigenous yeast fermentation and malolactic fermentation took place in a range of aged 225-litre French oak barrels. After aging on lees for 10 months, the wine was then blended and placed into 500-litre French oak puncheons for further ageing and was bottled in late 2020. Barrel fermentation and lees aging has added a richness, complexity and an evident breadth to the wine.

★ On the nose an inviting aroma of honeysuckle, quince, almonds and jasmine lift from your glass. The palate has a confident presence and an engaging texture from its diligent time in French oak barrels. Both varietals showcase their elegance and appealing characters, balancing natural acidity and luscious nuances. The exotic flavours and charming nature is highlighted by a local minerality and wrapped tightly in crostini oak giving the wine breath and a longer than expected encounter on a classic dry finish.

This 2019 Trinity Hill ‘Gimblett Gravels’ Marsanne / Viognier has 14% Alc./vol. Made in a dry style. Chill gently and serve in a medium shaped wine glass at 9º- 10ºC. *NZ$42.99

CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 20/1/23)
Drinking well this season; plus will age nicely for another 3 - 4 years.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with grilled or bbq’d whole fish, tempura seafood, Asian dumplings, arancini balls, homemade gnocchi w/ pumpkin puree, along with pesto dips and hummus on crusty bread - enjoy.