Description

PRODUCER:
Established in 1998, Craggy Range is a family-owned winery situated in the shadows of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay. With an unrelenting focus on quality, Craggy Range produces a collection of iconic wines from their estate vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, and Marlborough. When owners Terry and Mary Peabody first set out to start a winery, they looked down from Te Mata Peak onto the land where Craggy Range now stands, and they were clear that they wanted to create wines which truly evoked the unique landscapes and heritage of the region. Since then, Craggy Range has developed into an iconic New Zealand winery which has never lost sight of its sense of place, or its family ties. Heavily invested in social and environmental sustainability, they are certified by SWNZ and have created initiatives such as the Children’s Christmas Foundation.

VINEYARD:
Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district lies on the ancient bed of the Ngaruroro River, which changed course in 1867 to expose the soils for possible viticulture. The relatively low altitude and proximity to the sea, yet sheltered from the direct effect of the sea breeze, create a temperate maritime climate. This location, altitude, and the stony soil’s warming influence make it the warmest site in Hawke’s Bay. The lack of excessive heat in the Gimblett Gravels is also a critical factor, as it means the aromatic characters in the fruit, which contribute to the floral notes, are retained. The soils are composed of small to medium-sized greywacke stones interspersed with layers of silt and sand down to a depth of at least 40 metres. The stones on the surface absorb sunlight and heat during the day and then radiate heat at night, enhancing the vine’s ripening capacity. The stony soil structure allows for very rapid drainage after rainfall events; the low water-holding ability affects the vine’s growth. The soils in this locality produce rich, ripe, yet elegantly structured red wines with a distinctive mineral, hot stone and fine dusty character, affectionately known as ‘Gimblett Dust’. Te Kahu means ‘the cloak’ in Te Reo Māori and refers to the mist that envelops Giants Winery in the Tukituki Valley.

WINEMAKING:
The fruit was hand and machine harvested, the hand-picked portion was sorted, and 100% of the fruit was destemmed. Fermentation took place in closed-top stainless-steel tanks with selected yeasts. Maturation lasted for 16 months in oak barriques, of which 18% were new.

TASTING NOTE:
Concentrated aromas of cassis, black olive and dried tobacco lead to a palate of great energy, with red fruits and liquorice framed by dark chocolate-laced tannins.

GRAPES:
Cabernet Franc 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 22%, Malbec 4%, Merlot 61%.

AWARDS:
• 93 Points, James Suckling, 2024