SILENI CELLAR SELECTION HAWKES BAY MERLOT
Sileni Estates was born from a long standing interest in wine by Graeme Avery. In late 1997, along with financial director Chris Cowper and winemaker Grant Edmonds, he established Sileni as an export oriented producer, committed to crafting world-class fine wines. The winery is named after the Sileni who featured in Roman mythology alongside Bacchus, the God of Wine. They celebrated good wine, good food and good company. The vineyards and winery are based near Hastings, Hawke’s Bay - the oldest wine region in New Zealand - on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It has a southern latitude of 39° and a climate similar to that of some of the great wine regions of the world. Sileni Estates also source grapes from the well known wine producing area of Marlborough, including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
This wine is part hand-plunged, and part pumped-over during fermentation to aid in colour extraction and provide tannin structure.After a period of maceration on skins, the wine is pressed off and run into oak barrles for maturation.
Silky tannins give it a soft finish for early drinkability and the depth of fruit gives it the ability to cellar for 4-5 years. Not too heavy, not too light... just right.
Try with Spaghetti Bolagnaise or Spaghetti and meatballs, baked pasta dishes such as lasagne, sausage and mash, crispy duck pancakes, ribs or a nice juicy steak.