Waikari, North Canterbury
Viticulture
Planted from 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and a second planting in 2018, farmed biodynamically from inception. Steeply inclined, east facing home block. Beautiful soils, with nut and crumb structure and great mineral fertility: 30% clay, 15% active lime.
Winemaking
Crushed and soaked for 2 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
Pale lemon-straw hue. The nose is mineral and complex, offering mandarin, cashew, and crushed limestone. On the palate, it’s taut and focused, with unfolding layers of lemon curd, mandarin peel, and nutty flavors. The saline acidity enhances its length and drive. This block consistently brings an expansive mouthfeel, with broad texture followed by focused, saline tension.
~ 96 POINTS ~
The 2022 Chardonnay from the high-density Lion's Tooth parcel is an arresting wine that sucks you in but doesn’t spit you out. It’s not a wine you'll want to spit out either. This 2022 draws you in with its harmony, expansive nature, silken texture and sense of tranquility. It is subtle in its flavors - this is Chardonnay, after all – with flinty characters giving way to toasted nuts and oatmeal, lemon curd and nectarine. This is not a fruity but savory, restrained style that focused on texture over aromatics. Meditation for the mouth.
- Rebecca Gibb MW
