Esk Valley River Gravel 2021
95 Points - Cameron Douglas. Esk Valley River Gravel is a rich, complex, and elegant blend from Hawke’s Bay that marries expressive dark fruit with refined oak and seamless structure. Crafted by a trailblazing winery renowned for its artisanal methods and focus on unique terroir, this wine is recognised for excellence by leading critics and offers impressive ageing potential for any serious wine collection.
Wine Press Ratings
95 Points - Cameron Douglas, MS (2021 Vintage)
"Opaque appearance with a concentrated bouquet of dark cherries and baked plums, sweet scents of new barrel and toasty spices to match. Violets, meats, preserved fruits and warm gravel soils invade the senses. Power and precision on the palate with an abundance of polished tannins, a back bone of acidity and concentration of fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet. A delicious drink with length, complexity and finish."
Taste
Esk Valley River Gravel is a full-bodied blend offering deep aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, underpinned by fragrant spicy oak, cocoa, and a hint of tobacco. The palate is richly textured and complex, showing layers of supple dark fruit, chocolate, and subtle herbal tones. Fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity combine to deliver a harmonious mouthfeel and an impressively long finish.
About the Producer
Esk Valley is a pioneering New Zealand winery located in Hawke’s Bay and celebrated for its traditional, hands-on approach. Under the guidance of winemaker Gordon Russell, Esk Valley champions small-batch production using open-topped concrete fermenters - a technique rarely seen today. Their unique focus on expressing specific plots, particularly the exceptional Gimblett Gravels with its stony soils from ancient riverbeds, allows their wines to convey remarkable character and a deep sense of place.
95 Points - Cameron Douglas. Esk Valley River Gravel is a rich, complex, and elegant blend from Hawke’s Bay that marries expressive dark fruit with refined oak and seamless structure. Crafted by a trailblazing winery renowned for its artisanal methods and focus on unique terroir, this wine is recognised for excellence by leading critics and offers impressive ageing potential for any serious wine collection.
Wine Press Ratings
95 Points - Cameron Douglas, MS (2021 Vintage)
"Opaque appearance with a concentrated bouquet of dark cherries and baked plums, sweet scents of new barrel and toasty spices to match. Violets, meats, preserved fruits and warm gravel soils invade the senses. Power and precision on the palate with an abundance of polished tannins, a back bone of acidity and concentration of fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet. A delicious drink with length, complexity and finish."
Taste
Esk Valley River Gravel is a full-bodied blend offering deep aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, underpinned by fragrant spicy oak, cocoa, and a hint of tobacco. The palate is richly textured and complex, showing layers of supple dark fruit, chocolate, and subtle herbal tones. Fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity combine to deliver a harmonious mouthfeel and an impressively long finish.
About the Producer
Esk Valley is a pioneering New Zealand winery located in Hawke’s Bay and celebrated for its traditional, hands-on approach. Under the guidance of winemaker Gordon Russell, Esk Valley champions small-batch production using open-topped concrete fermenters - a technique rarely seen today. Their unique focus on expressing specific plots, particularly the exceptional Gimblett Gravels with its stony soils from ancient riverbeds, allows their wines to convey remarkable character and a deep sense of place.
Description
95 Points - Cameron Douglas. Esk Valley River Gravel is a rich, complex, and elegant blend from Hawke’s Bay that marries expressive dark fruit with refined oak and seamless structure. Crafted by a trailblazing winery renowned for its artisanal methods and focus on unique terroir, this wine is recognised for excellence by leading critics and offers impressive ageing potential for any serious wine collection.
Wine Press Ratings
95 Points - Cameron Douglas, MS (2021 Vintage)
"Opaque appearance with a concentrated bouquet of dark cherries and baked plums, sweet scents of new barrel and toasty spices to match. Violets, meats, preserved fruits and warm gravel soils invade the senses. Power and precision on the palate with an abundance of polished tannins, a back bone of acidity and concentration of fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet. A delicious drink with length, complexity and finish."
Taste
Esk Valley River Gravel is a full-bodied blend offering deep aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, underpinned by fragrant spicy oak, cocoa, and a hint of tobacco. The palate is richly textured and complex, showing layers of supple dark fruit, chocolate, and subtle herbal tones. Fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity combine to deliver a harmonious mouthfeel and an impressively long finish.
About the Producer
Esk Valley is a pioneering New Zealand winery located in Hawke’s Bay and celebrated for its traditional, hands-on approach. Under the guidance of winemaker Gordon Russell, Esk Valley champions small-batch production using open-topped concrete fermenters - a technique rarely seen today. Their unique focus on expressing specific plots, particularly the exceptional Gimblett Gravels with its stony soils from ancient riverbeds, allows their wines to convey remarkable character and a deep sense of place.
