2012 Destiny Bay Magna Praemia
$1,960.00
Destiny Bay's wines are hand crafted to the highest standard. Sophisticated equipment and cutting edge science combine to create wines that have been compared to some of the great French Chateaux. Vines are lightly cropped (1.8 – 2.0 tonnes an Acre in 2012 ) and each berry is hand selected for vinification. Magna Praemia, meaning 'Great Rewards', is Destiny Bay's flagship wine featuring all five classic Bordeaux varietals with Cabernet Sauvignon the prominent grape. Robert Parkers Wine Advocate describes this wine as an ''Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove''.
Estate Bottled Wine of New Zealand
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Vintage Detail: Dry and cool spring w/typical summer weather followed by warm dry harvest.
Vinified Tonnage/Acre: 1.8 - 2.0 tonnes
Brix: 23 - 26.2
Maturation: 10-15 months 50% French Oak & 50% American Oak
Cooperage: 60% New, 40% 1-2 year barrels Cases Produced: 199
Alcohol: 14.1%
I tasted this wine from barrel shortly before it was bottled in 2014. It was one of those epiphany moments you never forget.
On the nose, the still youthful bouquet exhibits herbaceous notes with underlying tones of black currents, leather and sweet liquorice. 60% new barrels (50/50 French/American) delivering some smokey cedar.
A multitude of layers on the palate, each offering perfect structure, balance and weight amid an array of flavours that seemingly coat the entire palate. Rich, spicy black fruit with dark chocolate and clove most notable.
Chewy tannins provide an incredibly lengthy finish that features notes of tobacco and baking spices
Last tasting, June 2017. Approachable, but still needs time.
A deep and dark colour that is scarlet with violet tinges as the wine curls up the glass. The Cabernet Sauvignon in 2012 had a quality during vinification that was reminiscent of great Napa Valley Cabernets and expresses notes of cassis, licorice and black plums. The wine shows depth of tannin and structure across the entire palate with the promise to evolve into a layered and complex wine in the cellar. The wine finishes with great length that carries notes of chocolate, cloves and baking spices. An exciting wine to drink in its youth, it will most certainly give “Great Rewards” to those who cellar it for the long haul.
Sean Spratt - Winemaker