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Tasting notes
Very deep garnet-purple, the 2009 Gimblett Gravels Sophia is blended of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The nose is very youthful and a little closed, giving notes of ripe plums, mulberries and crushed blackberries over cloves, pencil shavings, cedar, mace and coffee beans with a hint of dark chocolate. Medium-full bodied, the tight-knit palate gives balanced, medium-high acid, firm grainy tannins and lots of berry and spice layers, finishing long. Consider drinking it 2013 to 2022+. Importer: Kobrand Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 490-9300
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Ridiculously heavy bottle in this day and age, from a country keen to flaunt its green credentials. Cease and desist! Very grown-up, sophisticated, complex nose. Lovely build. Fluid fruit with masses of minerality and some nicely judged tannins. A wine for the long term (though it would age just as well in a bottle half this weight..) Really appetising. Still too young and the acidity is notable at the moment. Neat. (JR)