Winemaker Notes
White gold hue. Aromas of quince, pear, bees wax and lanolin. Very mineral palate with lime, white rocks, salty and brine. Invigorating, intriguing, dry and refreshing. Unfiltered wine with small amounts of sediment. Please allow the bottle to stand and settle before pouring. Decanting will allow maximum expression of aroma and purity of fruit to emerge.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Relatively new to the scene, Black Estate has made a big splash with its stripped-back, site-expressive wines from organic and biodynamic vineyards in North Canterbury. The color of melted butter, this Chenin is intensely evocative, like a rainy autumn day. There's honeyed pear, yeasty apple, fig, buttercup, beeswax, ground nutmeg and layers of minerals. The palate is equally mineral-driven and texturally complex yet linear. There's a slight funk on the finish, but it doesn't distract from the beauty of this characterful wine.
Editor's Choice
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Decanter
This is the fourth vintage of Chenin Blanc from Loire-loving winemaker Nicholas Brown, and every vintage so far has brought something different. This vintage is full of savoury tones, with quince and honeycomb aromas. It's expansive and gentle in the mouth, yet retains its shape. There's tension on the finish with a chalky, salty line and fine acidity. Unfined and unfiltered, and just 11.5% alcohol.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
On the central eastern coast of the South Island, Canterbury includes a collection of small and varied subregions. The region is cool and dry with low rainfall and light, infertile soils. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are well-suited here, with Pinot Gris coming in third place.