Since 2008, a range of twelve Gimblett Gravels red wines have been independently selected to represent the Gravels with the aim to gain a better perspective of where Gimblett Gravel wines stand in any given year as well as charting the evolution of progression of the wines from this unique terroir. The Mission Jewelstone Antoine 2019 cut the mustard, being selected as part of this top 12 wines. 2019 being hailed as the vintage of the century for Hawkes Bay and the Gravels and clearly for Mission as well. Antoine is a sensational wine, scintillatingly pure and endlessly complex. A Merlot dominant blend with Cab Sav and Cab Franc, the wine spent 18 months in 60% new French Oak barrels to temper and season the opulent fruit profile. Very youthful right now and best decanted if drunk before 2028 and will be at its best around 2030, with no hurry from there.

A blend of Bordeaux varietals from our Gimblett Gravels vineyards, the Jewelstone Antoine is a reflection of the vintage in which it is crafted. Low yielding vines are hand harvested at optimum ripeness and maturity, carefully fermented and further matured in premium French oak barrels for 12 months. The resulting wine is rich, ripe and complex and will drink well now, or cellar gracefully for 10-20 years.