(1) 2010 Collaboration Argent Cabernet Sauvignon, Gimblett Gravels* RC18/20
Note label
‘Argent’ is "the colour of silver”. Cabernet Sauvignon from gravelly vineyard sites blended with a small parcel of Merlot from heavier soil, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 20 months in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Very full, near impenetrable black-red with youthful purple hues.
Concentrated, focussed, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant aromas are entwined with subtle plum notes, with pencil shavings and cedary oak elements adding detail. Medium-full bodied and elegantly proportioned, this has a concentrated core of sweetly ripe black berried fruits with liquorice, currant and herb nuances, along with spicy oak.
The mouthfeel is textured with fine-grained tannins and the palate is carried somewhat by the acidity, leading to a long, lingering, spicy, black-plum finish.
This is a ripe, black-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon with fine tannins and sweet oak. Match with roasted red meats or serve with hard cheeses over the next 7-9+ years. 100 cases made. 18.0+/20 Aug 2013 RC
Abstract artwork reflects the rich, complex, textural wines I strive to craft in collaboration with growers of the finest vineyard sites in Hawke's Bay .
Julianne Brogden Owner | Winemaker
Collaboration Wines is a portfolio of finely crafted, small batch wines. A collaboration between myself as owner/winemaker and a collection of passionate growers from specially selected vineyard sites in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Two pivotal moments over the last 22 years of my winemaking career still resonate with me. On both occasions I was winemaking for small family wineries in the Napa Valley, husband and wife teams whose wineries epitomized everything I had grown to love about winemaking. A family environment, physical, dirty, hard labour, long crazy hours, great food, many laughs, loud eclectic music and of course fine wine.
Now lifelong friends, sadly both wives have passed on. On separate occasions their words of advice to me were, ‘we started very small’, ‘from one barrel’, ‘you can do it too Julz’, ‘don’t ever grow too big, that’s the biggest mistake we ever made’.
So, in 2010 I made the decision to use my extensive winemaking experience and hard earned savings garnered, from working for these producers whose wines I admired. I financed my own future and crafted my first wine, 4 barrels of 2010 Argent Cabernet Sauvignon, and hence Collaboration Wines was born.
Since then the doors have continued to open, my portfolio has grown and my wines are now being served and sold in many of New Zealand’s finest restaurants and wine stores. The first export markets for Collaboration Wines have been cracked and they are now being served in Japan, France and Singapore.
https://www.collaborationwines.co.nz/
Purpose built, temperature controlled cellar.
New Zealand-Cabernet Sauvignon and blends