 The name Redmetal is derived from the local description of the soil type - a thin cap of silt loam over river deposited gravels with a distinct reddish hue. Drainage is rapid and the soils warm up early, providing a long growing season which is ideal for the production of high quality red wine grapes. Low yielding vines with well exposed fruit are crucial for high quality, and we use spur pruning, extensive leaf plucking and bunch thinning to achieve that end. Climate, soil and vineyard management develop a synergy (the French notion of terroir) that finds its expression in the intensely coloured and richly flavoured red wines created here.
Only 7 hectares in total area, the vineyard varietal mix is primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc in a ratio of 65 / 29 percent. The remaining 6 percent has been top grafted in 2006 to Syrah, a variety that has the potential to do well in this climate. Our objective has always been to grow and make Merlot dominant fine red wine, as we believe that the early ripening Merlot has the potential to consistently perform well in Hawkes Bay. It has fantastic flavours ranging from red berryfruit / brambles through blackberry and plum to concentrated prune and licorice with chocolate overtones, depending on the level of ripeness. It is very well suited to these 'redmetal' gravel soils and rarely suffers from either overtly herbaceous characters or the cooked flavours of hotter climates. Cabernet Franc is also proving to be an excellent variety on this site, adding vibrant colour, aromatic fruit and tannin to the rich, fleshy fruit of the Merlot. The intention is to make the Syrah as a separate varietal although we may use some to provide fruit and structure to the Merlot / Franc blends.
All of our vines are grafted to phylloxera resistant rootstock to allow them to reach true maturity and develop concentration and complexity of flavour in the fruit. Soil moisture is monitored and irrigation is used sparingly to ensure the vines are not excessively stressed in these free-draining gravel soils. |
