The economically titled 2005 -J- is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Malbec, cropped at 600 grams/vine, matured for 18 months using 60% new French oak. It delivers a striking, savory, chocolate-tinged nose that explodes from the glass accompanied by a silky smooth palate with ambitions towards Pomerol despite the predominance of Cabernet. Sensuous on the furry, cocoa-infused finish, this is a compelling wine although a paltry 65 cases were produced. It should evolve over 10-15 years.
TerraVin is a boutique winery established by Mike Eaton who purchased his first 3.2-hectares of vines in 1998 with another 6.8-hectares planned in the future. The vineyard is based in the Omaka Valley on a north-facing slope with clay-rich soil that naturally reduces vigor, reduced further by high density planting of 5,000 vines/ha. Mike, himself, has almost unparalleled experience of vineyard management in Marlborough, having planted the area's first vines as a general laborer for Montana Wines at their Brancott vineyard in the 1970s. When I visited, he had just sold part of the vineyard to Spy Valley so that he could focus on Pinot Noir and Bordeaux varieties. These are full-bodied, beautifully hand-crafted wines with superb complexity and subtlety and are well worth seeking out, particularly his stunning reds.
No known American importer.
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