Tasting Note – A few years ago I was dining at The Drake in Wellington PEC with MW James Cluer of Fine Vintage Ltd. and we ordered an older Grange Northfield Block Cabernet Franc. We were so besotted we ordered a second bottle. Now, along comes the debut vintage of the Aurelia Series, a top barrel selection from those same vines. This is serious, highly aromatic cab franc. It pours with fairy deep colour. The nose blasts ripe raspberry-cherry fruit, violet, fine barrel spice and toast. It is medium weight, energized, tense yet elegant with very fine texture. Excellent to outstanding length. Tasted three times in 2025 and besotted every time.
Backgrounder – The Grange of Prince Edward is a pioneering County winery, that during the COVID era underwent a complete renovation of the vineyards and winemaking with the hiring back of viticulturalist Mike Peddlesden and neighbouring winemaker Jonas Newman of Hinterland. The Aurelia series was launched in 2023, essentially a selection from field sorted, specific blocks and barrels. Winemaking included destemming and twice daily punch downs. This cuvee was barrel with 18 months elevage in premium French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% second fill.
