2002 Hans Herzog Merlot/Cabernet Spirit of Marlborough
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Tasting notes
60% Merlot, 15% each of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc and 10% Malbec. Hand-harvested estate fruit. Aged in French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Deep garnet with soft crimson rim. Lovely aroma of a mature bordeaux blend – still has plum and cassis black fruit but also cedar, cigar box, spice and notable but not green herbaceous freshness. Bell-pepper lift and even a touch of smokiness. Deliciously mature, scented and complex. On the palate, still great fruit depth, rounded, shapely tannins. Beautifully balanced, elegant and long. Fine wine with remarkable presence and length. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Why so old, I wonder? 60% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec. Pretty high VA. But a serious answer to Bordeaux in its dryness and complexity. Not the sort of wine you expect from Marlborough but it works. Subtle, complex with a dry finish. Long. Bravo! Just starting to turn dusty on the finish. (JR)
A blend of 60% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec, the 2002 “Spirit of Marlborough” has a deep garnet color that’s just starting to go a little brick at the edge. It offers mature aromas of leather and tobacco over dried mulberries, figs and spice cake with a hint of espresso. Medium-full bodied, it gives a generous amount of evolved / dried berry and earthy flavors in the mouth with some powdery tannins and enlivening acidity, finishing long and spicy. Mature now, it makes for a great glass at the moment but needs drinking-up. No known USA importer.