Grant and Sue Edmonds carved a name for Redmetal Vineyards by championing Merlot when most of their contemporaries were singing from a Cabernet song sheet and, 34 years later, they're still swimming against the tide. Three new wines prove the point. Not that they are trying to make any particular point but their left field wines do it for them. They are Albarino, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, all of which highlight the diverse potential of Hawke's Bay to grow a wide range of grape varieties to make premium and super premium quality wines.
The following three new releases also highlight two outstanding vintages; 2021 and 2024.
Grant and Sue's vineyard was planted in 1991 on the old riverbed of the Ngaruroro River, which is colloquially called the red metals, due to the stony red tinged gravel soils.
Redmetal Vineyards new releases, May 2024
18.5/20
2024 Redmetal Vineyards Sue Lie Albarino RRP $33
If you're keen on Albarino, here is an excellent example from Hawke's Bay. It's dry, it's fleshy and it's full bodied but best of all it's made from low cropping vines with just over 2kgs per vine, harvested at a relatively ripe 23.8 brix, which translates to 14% alcohol and a bone dry style of 1.4 grams RS.
This is a great Albarino from Hawke's Bay with a mouth filling textural quality of ripe yellow and stone fruit, which are kept in check with lees maturation for five months.
17.5/20
2024 Redmetal Vineyards Cabernet Franc RRP $27
Cabernet Franc is a glimmer in the eye of adventurous Hawke's Bay winemakers because there is precious little of it growing in the vineyards but in warm dry years, such as 2024, it shows great promise. This wine has all the elements of classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc with notes of red berries, the merest hint of bell pepper and a soft, velvety texture, all supported by the gentle spice of balanced oak. It drinks well now and over the next three to four years.
17.5/20
2021 Redmetal Vineyards Basket Press Syrah RRP $48
Gentle basket pressing has always been a hallmark of Grant Edmonds' winemaking and this wine benefits from both low cropping yields (2kg per vine; low yields, higher flavour) and basket pressing. It's a blend of 89% Syrah with 11% Merlot and gains complexity from the blend as well as nine months of barrel ageing followed by another two years in the bottle.
It drinks well now and will continue to evolve favourably for at least a decade. The 2021 vintage was an exceptional one for quality in Hawke's Bay.
