Deep garnet-colored, the 2007 Magna Praemia puts forward a good, solid core of cassis, red currants, plums and spice box lifted by touches of eucalyptus and violets. The palate shows a good expression of its blend of grapes, and even though it is a tad lean, it remains very well defined by medium-firm, grainy tannins, nice acid verve and a very long, graceful finish. Drink it now to 2020+. Ex-pat Americans Ann and Michael Spratt established this boutique winery and vineyard with the pursuit of making Bordeaux varietal reds of the highest caliber. Their son, Sean, has since joined their journey as the winemaker along with the consultancy of Luc Desbonnets. Located right on the edge of the southern coast, yet angled on a north-facing slope well sheltered from the ocean winds, the relatively young vines indeed appear poised for greatness and the first releases confirm that the Spratt’s are onto something special. Ann Spratt, with a degree in microbiology and biochemistry, post-graduate studies at UC Davis in viticulture and enology under her belt and having a Masters degree in Wine Sciences from Auckland University, is well placed and certainly at home in the winery, backing up viticultural and winemaking techniques with original and important research. While the prices of these wines have been aspirational from the outset, the hard graft and uncompromising approach that goes on behind the labels certainly goes some way to justifying the hefty price tags. Imported by Destiny Bay Wine Imports LLC.