2020 Paritua 21.12 Cabernet Merlot

Brand	Paritua
Region	Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Cab Sauv Merlot Cab Franc
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2020
Country	New Zealand
Certified Organic
Organically Grown
Vegan
Vegetarian

Paritua is one of Hawke’s Bay top producers, and with their flagship wine 21.12 2020, it is straightforward to understand why. Made in only the best years it truly receives the royal treatment. Extremely low yielding vines are constantly ‘manicured’ over the season to ensure intensely concentrated grapes that have obtained the optimum ripeness. Hand harvested, whole bunches are destemmed, and the individual berries sorted using the most up to date equipment. Once fermented, it is basket pressed to barrel, before up to 24 months elevage in French Oak barriques (50% new). Finally, barrels are selected, blended (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) and bottled resulting in a powerful and complex red wine that is approachable now, but will continue to evolve to 2030+.

A complex aroma of blackberry, black currant, black Doris plum and cocoa powder with floral hints of violet and spicy notes of cardamom, anise and clove.

The palate has great structure and intensity of flavour. A silky textured attack with plush, concentrated blackberry and firm mid palate tannin. Ripe Black Doris plum, cocoa, and spice flavours with a hint of petrichor minerality and a long savoury fine grained tannin finish. The wine has fine cellaring potential. Recommended drinking from 2024 till 2036. Enjoy with red meats, hearty roasted game, and rich mushroom dishes.