Predominantly Cabernet franc and Merlot, the nose has aromas of sweet ripe fruit with lifted aromas of crushed red berries and darker cassis with hints of floral perfume from the Malbec and Petit Verdot with a flourish of tobacco and cedar from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is vibrant, exuding ripe fruit and a rich texture finishing with supple fine grained tannins. The 2012 Ironclad is a fine example of what Waiheke can achieve in a cooler vintage. It has great fruit accessibility with a powerful structure coated in luxuriant fruit,supple yet powerful. It is an engaging wine in its youth that will reward patient cellaring revealing a refined structure and greater complexity with age. This is our greatest Ironclad yet.