Blake Family Vineyard was established in 2000 with the sole aim of creating a world class single vineyard Bordeaux-style red wine from the premium stoney soil in Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

The foundation of the wines is crafted under the guidance of Mark Blake, the owner, along with assistant winemaker Jason Exposto.

We have identified the key ingredients used by a handful of small artisan producers in St Emilion, Pomerol and the Napa Valley to create wines of incredible quality. The decision to create something unique in the Gimblett Gravels winemaking district in New Zealand was taken only after other international locations were evaluated.

We focus on world class quality at every level - from the vineyards, people, enological and viticultural equipment, to business management. From high precision viticulture, low yields, optimum ripeness, to gentle and precise processing in small lots of less than 5 tonnes each, every aspect of our winemaking enterprise is meticulously planned and executed. Over the last six years, we have sought out and recruited only deeply committed and talented people for each key position, from vineyard to market.

We are determined to combine our passion and commitment with the time and resources required to ensure that our goals are met without compromise.

During November 2006 we held several tastings to introduce interested parties to our Blake Family Vineyard wines in progress, as well as our 'Alluviale' releases.

Geoff Kelly of geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz has published an indepth review of the entire blind tasting, covering 21 prominent Bordeaux (both banks), New Zealand and Napa wines. Geoff has kindly allowed us to reproduce his tasting notes of a tank sample of our 2005 BFV wine here.

2005 Blake Family Vineyard assembled tank sample 19 + *****
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: 13.9%; $ –
[ cork; Me 40%, CS 30, CF 30 @ c. 1.25 kg / vine, 4300 vines / ha; French oak; the score should be in square brackets [ 19 + ] to indicate the sample is not the final 'as bottled' wine]

Ruby, carmine and velvet, a glorious colour, deeper, denser and more velvety than the 2005 Alluviale, in fact, the deepest colour of the set. Bouquet is deeply and darkly floral, subtle and sensuous. Below the florals the depth of fruit is sensational, pure cassis and darkest plums, plus some toasty new oak. On palate, the concentration of florals and fruit is a joy to behold, the flavour more implicit than explicit, but the richness and dry extract already palpable on tongue. If this builds the bouquet in bottle that the '05 Alluviale already shows, and with the finesse of its oak, this will be a great wine. It will be more in a St Emilion style than a Medoc one. It is much richer than the 2005 Alluviale, yet shows no sign of sur maturité. There is a compelling climatic contrast between the near-perfection this winestyle displays, versus the elephantine Caymus. The two wines illustrate just how marvellous the Hawkes Bay climate is for Bordeaux / Hawkes Bay blends.

Cellar 5 - 20 + years.

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