Hans Herzog Zweigelt

The wonderful dark purple colour of this wine is a tastebud sensation! Sweet and savoury like a ‘Black Forest Gateau’ in a bottle! Wonderful aromas of dark chocolate, juicy ripe plums, sweet Damson plums and prunes with  spicy undertones. There is a hint of black pepper, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs and liquorice. A flavour powerhouse and a highly complex wine with a great lively acidity, structure, soft tannins and a lingering finish. This is a wine built to last….

• Winery: Hans Herzog
  
• Varietal: Zweigelt
  
• Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
  
• Vintage: 2016
  
• Alcohol: 14%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
  
• Other: Certified Organic, sustainable wine
  
• Food pairing: Lighter red meats; BBQ grilled chicken, duck; fish (particularly shellfish); macaroni salad; less flavoured cheeses (Gouda, Roquefort, Majorero)
  

“Austria’s most widely-planted red grape was aged in French barriques for 18 months (40% new). An intensely fruity wine with sumptuous plum, dark cherry, cassis, pepper, and spicy oak flavours. Delicious now but with serious cellaring potential.” Bob Campbell MW

In 1630, Hans’ ancestor Heinrich Herzog wears a ring bearing the Herzog crest when he presses it into wax, sealing an agreement to purchase a hillside vineyard towering over Switzerland’s Rhine Valley. The Herzog’s have lived in this region for generations. First mentioned in the church almanac of 1482, they are farmers, tending their animals and modest vineyards clustered around the villages of Thal and Rheineck in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Growing vines, even then flows deep in the blood of Hans Herzog.

Hans was born on the same land, but together with Therese established their own vineyard and winery further down the Rhine river in the Zurich wine country.

From humble beginnings in the couple's garage, they became one of the foremost estates in the country. Therese, a committed epicure, ended her marketing career in 1992 to open a restaurant on the estate. She is a naturally vivacious host and people were soon queuing up to experience the combination of fine food, impeccable service, ambience and of course Hans' wines - serious, handcrafted wines for food. The restaurant won high praise and then a prestigious Michelin Star.

Despite their success in Switzerland, Hans still sought the ideal place to produce great Bordeaux grapes and other varieties not possible to grow in the cool Swiss climate. In pursuit of his dream to find the ideal land to grow the wines he loved, his search led him to New Zealand.

He found the perfect conditions in Marlborough and bought a precious plot of land, originally been an apple orchard, in 1994. He planted the first vines in 1996 and the winery was built in 1998, right in time for the first vintage to commence.

Once again, Hans Herzog Estate became one of the foremost artisan wineries in the world, producing a variety of handcrafted wines exporting internationally to the most highly esteemed restaurants.

Therese too did not hold back. Eager for a new challenge, she opened "Herzog's restaurant" in March 2000 - recreating the resounding success of her Michelin starred Swiss restaurant. The restaurant gave guests the chance to experience Herzog wines as they should be- complex and structured yet delicate - the way there are intended: shared among friends, with fine food, in the relaxing surroundings of a roaring fire or sunny veranda.

The restaurant offers a haven of sheer indulgence overlooking the precious vineyard with a team of high calibre chefs from the best establishments in Europe. It serves the finest fresh market cuisine to match, where diners are able to taste the pure passion behind Herzog wines. Following the success of the Gourmet Restaurant a Cellar Door, the Bistro and Vineyard Cottage now complete the wine and food experience.

The boutique estate and restaurant is now widely acclaimed as one of the best in New Zealand.

• 95/100 Points - Bob Campbell MW (2015 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak (2014 vintage)
  
• 5 Stars - Michael Cooper (2014 vintage)