Tantalus Estate Merlot Cabernets

This well-constructed right-bank Bordeaux-inspired blend showcases tradition with a desirable twist of Waiheke Island. Merlot emphasises a full body of luscious black cherries, Doris plum and Christmas dates. Using a small percentage of American Oak over 10 months accentuates the wine’s sweet spice and vanilla pod characters. Meticulously blending in Cabernet Franc delivers the wine’s mouth-watering acidity, floral brightness and a humble savoury element. Compelling, versatile and made for medium-term cellaring.

• Winery: Tantalus Estate
• Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Waiheke Island, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2019
• Alcohol: 14%
• Volume: 750ml
• Closure: Screwcap
• Other: Sustainable Winegrowing, contains sulphites
• Food pairing: Platter of cured meat, Brown sugar mustard glazed ham, Wild pheasant in mushroom and wine sauce, Crostini with Ricotta and dark berries jam, Bloomy rind cheeses
  

The name Tantalus - "A Tantalus is a small wooden cabinet that contains two or three decanters of precious wine, for which there is a lock and key. The Tantalus prevents unauthorised people from opening the cabinet and drinking its contents, while allowing the bottles’ beauty to be on display. With a key to our Tantalus wines, one obtains access to the secrets of the treasures held within." Tantalus Estate

Nobody thought that the Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island could be restored to its former glory, but when you’re the kind of people where determination replaces sleep like Campbell and Carrie Aitken, anything is possible! After tirelessly pruning, clipping, and ripping out the original vines, a bit of experience in tourism (and a lot of determined Kiwi ingenuity), Campbell and Carrie bought and transformed the old brewery into the estate that it is today: Proud, elegant and premium.

The Aitken’s love and understanding of people and cultures is the foundation of everything that they do at Tantalus Estate, and it shows in their winery as well as their hospitality. Their winemaking process is characterised by elegance and subtlety, constantly pursuing excellence and carefully choreographing every step of production so that each vintage is better than the last, every drop leaving an indelible impression.