Mission Jewelstone Antoine Hawke's Bay 2018

Impressive full bodied red blend, modelled on Bordeaux' great left bank wines, which, like this one, can age superbly for decades. Mission's Jewelstone Antoine is made entirely from grapes grown on the much reverred Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District. The dark colour and blackberry, blackcurrant and plum flavours come from a blend led by 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. The winemaker is Paul Mooney - long term winemaker at Mission Estate - and he gave the finished wine 12 months of maturation in French oak, 60% new. Not that you'd know it. This beautifully balanced blend works superbly with this relatively high portion of new oak and tastes smooth, dark and impressively complex. Drinking beautifully now and can age superbly for up to a decade.