Wine introduction summary

• A full-bodied Bordeaux-style red wine, perfect as a gift or for a special dinner.
• Craggy Range is a prestigious winery based in Hawke's Bay and Martinborough.
• The grapes used are from the Gimlet Gravels region of Hawke's Bay.
• The varietal composition is 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc.
• Fermented in French oak and terracotta tanks, aged for 17 months, bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
• Dark garnet color with a rich body
• Spicy aromas of blackberry, prune and cinnamon
• Fruity and spicy, smooth structure, complex aftertaste.
• Balanced strength and flexibility
• Goes well with rich meat dishes such as lamb chops, roast beef fillet, and sukiyaki.

Hawke's Bay Full-Bodied Masterpiece

This wine is a rich, premium Bordeaux-style red wine.

A great gift for someone special.

For a special dinner.

With a budget of around 10,000 yen.

If you are looking for a full-bodied red wine that will impress, this is the wine for you.

Sophia = wisdom.

This is a limited edition product that brings together the wisdom of the prestigious Craggy range.

Craggy Range is a winery based in Hawke's Bay and Martinborough, and this wine is from the warmer Hawke's Bay.

The vineyards are located in a special area called "Gimlet Gravels" .

This is a 600-hectare area of land where the gravel riverbed was exposed to the surface by a major earthquake in the 1860s, and is characterized by its excellent drainage.

During the summer, the daytime temperature rises to around 30°C, but drops to 10°C at night. However, the presence of large and small stones has the advantage of retaining the heat during the day, preventing the soil itself from getting too cold.

Today, the growing conditions are so excellent that owning a vineyard in Gimlet Gravels is a sign of status for a winery in Hawke's Bay.

The grape varieties used in this wine, "Sofia 2021", are 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc (varies depending on the vintage).

100% destemmed grapes are fermented in closed French oak fermenters , with some Merlot fermented in concrete tanks and Cabernet Franc in terracotta.

After fermentation, the wine is aged for 17 months in French oak barrels (33% new).

It is not clarified, but lightly filtered and bottled.

Now, on to the tasting.

The color is dark garnet . When swirling, sticky tears of wine run down the inside of the glass . You can tell from the appearance that this is a very full-bodied wine.

The aroma that spreads from the surface of the liquid the moment you swirl it is amazing. It is a typical aroma of a very high-quality Bordeaux wine . It has the aroma of stewed blackberries and prunes , and also a spicy hint of cinnamon .

When you put it in your mouth, you will be hit with ripe fruit and spice . The structure is very smooth . The aftertaste has a complex flavor like tanned leather , and you can feel the sweetness derived from the high alcohol content (14%).

Dense yet very soft. Strength and gentleness blend together, giving the impression of a well-balanced wine. It is clear that this wine represents the culmination of all the wisdom that Craggy Range has accumulated over the 25 years since its establishment.

• Lamb chop steak
• Lamb braised in red wine
• Roasted beef fillet
• Beef rump and lentil stew
• Beef tongue stew
• Sukiyaki

Try pairing it with a rich meat dish like this.

It will surely be an unforgettable dinner.

About the Winery "Craggy Range"

Craggy Range is a family-run winery established in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island in 1998. In 1993, founder Terry Peabody and his wife Mary decided to create a family legacy that could be passed on to the next generation.

Notably, they were adamant about starting with greenfield land rather than purchasing existing vineyards. After searching for land in France, America and Australia, they were ultimately seduced by the potential of New Zealand, where the region's mild climate, rich agricultural history and pioneering people perfectly matched the Peabody family's ideals.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range produces premium wines from grapes harvested in two iconic wine-growing regions, Hawke's Bay and Martinborough, showcasing the unique character of each site.

(Source: https://craggyrange.com/ )

The special vineyards of Hawke's Bay, Gimlet Gravels, take advantage of the warm stony soils to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay, while the cooler Te Muna Road vineyards in Martinborough feature old clay soils for Pinot Noir and limestone gravel for Sauvignon Blanc.

The winery's main facility is located in the heart of Gimlet Gravels and features individual cellars designed for each wine, with Giants Winery using French oak barrels to create the complex and special wine Sofia.

(Source: https://craggyrange.com/ )

The quality and uniqueness of their wines has been highly praised, and they were ranked number one in The Real Review's Top New Zealand Wineries 2023. In 2014, they were also named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

In addition to wine, restaurants and accommodations are also popular, offering visitors a luxurious and comfortable experience, including seasonal menus using fresh local ingredients. In addition, the "Children's Christmas" project, established in 2018, is engaged in activities to deliver Christmas presents to underprivileged children in Hawke's Bay.

In addition, we are committed to sustainable winemaking and are aiming to convert all of our vineyards to organic. We value coexistence with the natural environment and continue to work to produce high-quality wines while protecting microorganisms and biodiversity.

The Peabody family established a 1000-year trust to ensure the winery would never be sold and would remain in the family. This long-term approach, combined with a strong commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability, has established Craggy Range as a key winery, showcasing the potential of New Zealand wine to the world.

About Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is located in the eastern part of the North Island and is characterized by abundant sunshine and a relatively warm climate, and boasts the second largest grape-growing area in Australia.

Hawke's Bay specializes in producing red wines, particularly those made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Syrah, while fruity Chardonnay is a popular white wine.

The Gimlet Gravels, an area created when an earthquake pushed up what was originally a riverbed, is one of Hawke's Bay's important sub-regions.

Craggy Range Sophia Gimlet Gravels Hawke's Bay 2021 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2021 )

item	Content
Winery Name	Craggy Range
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Hawke's Bay
kinds	red
Grape variety	Merlot 77% Cabernet Franc 23%
Vintage	2021
Alcohol content	14.0%
capacity	750ml
remarks	Screw Cap