River Farm Godfrey Road Merlot 2009

Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper, September/October 2010 issue ****4stars
River Farm Godfrey Road Marlborough Merlot 2009
Dark and dense, with cassis, spice and herb flavours. Some leafy notes, but savoury, complex and finely structured, with excellent depth and obvious potential.

The stoney, alluvial soils of the old riverbed at Godfrey Road produce low-yielding, early ripening, full-flavoured fruit. The grapes for this estate grown wine were closely managed and excess fruit was dropped to ensure maximum ripeness. The grapes were handpicked in optimum condition from 11 rows in our Godfrey Road Vineyard. After extended skin contact and an indigenous fermentation the wine was aged in French oak for 11 months.

Our 2009 Merlot is showing great promise and is already drinking very well. It is deeply coloured, with an inviting nose of rich earthy aromas complemented by black currant, violet, chocolate and spice flavours. It is a big bodied and complex wine, beautifully balanced with a long and generous mouth-feel. It will continue to develop in the bottle over the next ten years.

This is a big, rich earthy Merlot. The palate is full bodied and weighty with black currant, chocolate and spice flavours. Beautifully balanced with a long and generous mouth-feel.

Suggested Food Match
Barbecued or peppered beef steak, roast beef, game, pizza, cheddar or goats cheese.

Consultant Winemaker: Brian Bicknell

Technical Data
Harvest Dates: 24th April 2009
Brix at Harvest: 25.4
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: <1g/l
TA: 5.2g/l

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