Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/10/2010
Jonathan Ray - The Telegraph - 15 Apr 2009
About this WINE
Craggy Range
Craggy Range began its life in 1993 when wife and daughter of Terry Peabody persuaded him to start a wine business, the rule being it must always stay in the family, passed down generation to generation. Terry travelled to France, America and Australia in search of a winery that encompassed the family’s interest in a clean, green way of life.
He settled on Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand, as this area had the perfect growing conditions for his favourite wines; the Bordeaux reds, particularly Syrah. Another was The Tuki Tuki valley, which had excellent soil for growing Chardonnay.
With help from noted Kiwi viticulturist and friend, Steve Smith, the business has grown substantially, and is the most technically advanced ever built in New Zealand. It is known for its uncompromising standards and precise craftsmanship.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
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Description
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc matured in 59% new oak, the 2008 The Quarry has very good definition on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, cedar and a touch of tobacco: a bouquet that just builds and builds. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins, great purity and possessing such finesse and precision with notes of blackberry, a touch of white pepper and cassis/briary on the aftertaste. Like the Sophia ’08, there is an enthralling symmetry at work here, whilst the judicious alcohol of 13.8% leave the palate feeling fresh and willing another sip. Just 270 cases made.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - Issue#191 Oct 2010
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