Spirit of Marlborough 2010 - Library Wine

A dream vintage! 2010 was almost a game of two halves. A very cool spring led to a later than expected bud burst reducing the yield even further. The cool spring was followed by an extremely dry summer with the 3rd lowest rainfall since records began in 1930. No disease pressure meant perfect fruit. The summer and autumn provided conditions a Vigneron dreams about. Long, bright, warm days and cool nights, meant fruit was able to hang on the vines until perfect physiological ripeness was achieved and we consequently hand-picked the Merlot and Cabernet Franc late on the 20 and 22 April 2010 at a tiny yield of 500g/vine (30 hl per ha) with fruit of intense flavours - pristine, precise, focused and expressive.

Such purity in the fruit allowed for a long cold soak to extract the beautiful flavours. I then let the must naturally progress to a long wild yeast fermentation and extended skin maceration. After gentle pressing, the young wine was transferred into partly new French Barriques where it underwent the second natural malolactic fermentation and matured on its fine lees for a long 30 months. Aged in the bottle at perfect condition for further 5 years. No fining. No filtration.

Classic aromas of black cherries, black currants, elderberries, liquorice and dark chocolate show in this stunningly rich, multi-dimensional Bordeaux blend. Impressively pure with sweet, well-integrated vibrant tannins and a refreshing acidity for superb precision and opulence. Juicy on the palate with a huge long finish. Another benchmark of Hans’ wines to last forever.