2021 Sacred Hill Wine Thief Cabernet Franc

Brand	Sacred Hill Wines
Region	Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Cabernet Franc
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.5%
Vintage	2021
Country	New Zealand

Sacred Hill have extended the Wine Thief range, great wines, great value and this 2021 is from a top year, superb wine. The Cabernet Franc was harvested at ideal maturity. The fruit was fully destemmed into open top fermentation vessels. Fermentation was carried out by indigenous yeast from our Deerstalkers Vineyard with daily hand plunging employed to extract colour and tannin from the skins. The grapes spent 25 to 30 days in the vat before the wine was run off and the skins pressed in our basket press. Matured in old French oak barriques for 18 months prior to bottling.

an alluring fragrance of red fruit, red liquorice, tobacco, and culinary herbs.

The absence of new oak character serves to promote the wines purity, promoting a true expression of Cabernet Franc, akin to the Cabernet Franc of the Loire, only richer. The palate displays a core of ripe red fruit and minerality which is unique to Gimblett Gravels, with deft acidity and tactile tannins delivering a wine with unique personality and texture. This wine is enjoyable upon release but will continue to gain further complexity with up to 8-10 years of bottle aging. Serve with your favourite red meats and the recommended serving temperature is 16-17 degrees.