2019 Hans Herzog Montepulciano, Marlborough

Deep inky red with intense red-fleshed plum, fresh herbs, dark berry, floral/violet, dark chocolate and spicy oak flavours. Youthful and slightly raw wine that is full of promise. 01 FEB 2023 Drink 2022–2035

94 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

Hans Herzog changed 500 years of winegrowing lineage in Switzerland to pursue his dream to find the perfect terroir to make truly outstanding wines able to stand amongst the world’s best. Unfettered by commercial considerations Hans adopts an experimentalist stance, producing highly acclaimed, age worthy wines rich in in varietal character.

True to the adage: quality over quantity. A force of experience in winemaking and viticulture, the varietal specialist is one of the country’s most respected winemakers and his famed wines have stolen hearts all over the world

Marlborough basked under blue skies throughout summer and experienced wonderfully warm weather after a cooler than average start. The long warm ripening season ended in a beautiful Indian summer. No cost and time was spare for our mighty Montepulciano. For an even ripeness throughout the bunches, Hans cut the shoulders off after veraison. It is the last variety to pick late in April at extremely low yields of 500g per vine to achieve this essence.