Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay, `The Trinity` Hawkes Bay
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | TR106B20 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
Trinity Hill is synonymous with quality and consistency, making wines emblematic of Hawkes Bay. Chief Winemaker Warren Gibson has led the Trinity Hill winemaking and vineyard teams since 1997, managing the 80 hectares of vineyards across Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the region and its vineyards is reflected in the quality of the wines. Warren and his team show the best of what Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels can produce. These wines are defined by elegance, balance and flavour precision, making them a joy to drink.
Originally founded in 1993 by winemaker John Hancock and restaurateurs Robert and Robyn Wilson, the trio recognised the outstanding potential of the Gimblett Gravels district and became one of the region’s early pioneers. Trinity Hill was sold in 2021 to new owners who continue Trinity Hills' legacy for quality and award-winning, site-specific winemaking.
Hawkes Bay
The Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc blends fruit from four sub-regions. It differs significantly from the ‘classic’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc expression, with more gentle aromas and flavours of stone fruit and lime. The Hawkes Bay Chardonnay is beautifully balanced. The fruit is gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts. It then undergoes full malolactic fermentation, followed by ageing in French oak barrels, resulting in a wine with notes of citrus and white flowers and a rich, creamy texture.
The Hawkes Bay Syrah is sourced from vineyards across Hawkes Bay, including the Gimblett Gravels and the Red Metal Triangle. A short period of oak ageing adds spice and delicious peppery notes to its vibrant wild blackberry fruit profile. For the Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir, a small portion of whole bunch is used in the fermentation, enhancing notes of fresh raspberry, plum and brambly spice with soft, velvety tannins. ‘The Trinity’ is predominantly Merlot, blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec from vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels. It is an impressive wine with soft, ripe tannins and notes of plum, cassis, and spice.
Vineyards
The grapes are sourced from vineyards predominantly in the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay. The soils are deep river gravels, left by the Ngaruroro River as it changed course over many thousands of years. These free-draining gravels can be more than 100 metres deep. Their low fertility, along with the ability to control vine vigour by controlling soil moisture, give small crops with highly concentrated flavours and aromas.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage had ideal conditions with weather leading up to the harvest typical of a classic Hawkes Bay summer – long hot sunny days with moderately cool nights. As autumn arrived the season became cooler, yet remained dry, providing ideal ripening conditions while preserving natural acidity.
Vinification
Individual vineyard blocks were harvested separately and then gently destemmed prior to fermentation. Subsequently, gentle daily pumping over of the skins during fermentation helped extract a soft yet complex tannin structure. Following fermentation, the skin maceration was extended for up to four weeks to further integrate and soften the tannins. The parcels spent 15 months ageing in a combination of small French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, before blending and bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This wine has perfumed aromas of leather and plums derived from the Merlot, with hints of spice and red fruit characters from the Cabernets. The palate is rich and supple, with ripe tannins and an elegant finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
5.6 g/l
pH
3.76
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gimblett Gravels | Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay | TR107 | W | Factsheet | |
| Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo | TR109 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Gimblett Gravels Syrah | TR110 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Homage` Gimblett Gravels Syrah | TR112 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `125 Gimblett` Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay | TR151 | W | Factsheet | ||
| Hawkes Bay | Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc | TR101 | W | Factsheet | |
| Hawkes Bay Chardonnay | TR103 | W | Factsheet | ||
| Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir | TR104 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Hawkes Bay Syrah | TR105 | R | Factsheet |