Waikare, North Canterbury
Viticulture
Planted between 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and a second planting in 2018, farmed biodynamically from inception. This unique, south-east facing site has varied soils, graduating from top to bottom on the slope, through primarily shallow (10-15cm) glauconitic clays over well drained limestone.
Winemaking
Crushed and soaked for 4 hours prior to pressing. Wild ferment, in aged French oak barrels. 12 months on lees in barrel, then aged on light lees for 5 months in stainless steel prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered in September 2023.
Tasting notes
Green lemon hue. A complex nose of minerals, flint, lemons, and limes. The palate is taut yet rich, with concentrated flavors reminiscent of lime and samphire. Fine, compact phenolics frame the wine and drive a long, mineral finish. This wine always reminds me of line and length—like train tracks stretching into the distance.
~ 96 POINTS ~
Expansive, succulent white of depth and concentration with pretty lift and complexity from jasmine florals, warm straw, hazelnut and button mushroom savouriness amongst the mandarin, ginger, lime, green apple going on. The supple flow stretches luxuriously through the palate and finishes with a light, building chalky pucker. It’s such a chilled out white, but so much is going on. And gosh it drinks beautifully.
- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
