2021 Mission Estate Jewelstone Antoine

Brand	Mission Estate
Region	Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Cab Sauv Cab Franc Merlot
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.9%
Vintage	2021
Country	New Zealand

Since 2008, an annual Top 12 Gimblett Gravels red wines have been independently selected across a Gravels wide tasting, to showcase the regions finest and chart the evolution of wines from this unique terroir. Mission Jewelstone Antoine cut the mustard, making the top echelon of the region’s finest 12 wines for 2021. 2021 is being hailed by many as the vintage of the century for Hawkes Bay and the Gravels, clearly for Mission as well. Antoine is a sensational red, scintillatingly pure and endlessly complex. A Right Bank Bordeaux style Merlot dominant blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc adding structure and poise. The blend spent 18 months in 60% new French Oak barrels to temper and season the opulent fruit profile. A potentially long living red, very youthful right now, best decanted if drunk before 2028. It will be at its best around 2030-2035, with no hurry from there.

Strikingly pure and floral, with violets, cedar, iron, tobacco, blackcurrant, plum and anise.

Fresh and focused throughout, there is marvelous concentration of black fruits set amongst a solid core of fine tannins with juicy acid bringing it into perfect harmony. A striking example of Merlot led Bordeaux style blend grown and made from one of the Hawke's Bay's greatest ever vintages. A wine to buy 6 or 12 bottles of and enjoy over the next 15-20 years.