Esk Valley Artisanal Hawke's Bay Chenin Blanc 2022

Description

Apple, Dry, Oak

"A splendid expression of the variety, showing golden apple, pineapple, fresh fig and subtle spice aromas on the nose. The palate offers excellent weight and focused mouthfeel, wonderfully complemented by fine texture and bright acidity, finishing long and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2030" Sam Kim, WIne Orbit, May 2023

"Fresh, bright, pure fruited bouquet with scents of fresh red apple and white peach, pears and blossoms. Bright, youthful and aromatic. Flavours mirror the bouquet as soon as they touch the palate - pears and apple, white peach and spice. Refreshing and gently saline, salivating acid line and lengthy even finish. A lovely example, ready to drink from late 2023 through 2029+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jun 2023

This wine reveals classic Chenin Blanc notes of baked apple, peach, citrus and honey. It is dry in style with a full and rich palate, enhanced by long term ageing on yeast lees.

This is a single vineyard wine from the Two Terraces Vineyard situated inland at Mangatahi. The Chenin Blanc plantings are located on the lower of the two gravel river terraces formed by the Ngaruroro River. Two clones of Chenin Blanc (220 and 880) are planted, with each providing its own distinctive characteristics to the finished wine. Planted in 2017, these vines are intensively managed in the pursuit of quality wine.

The grapes were harvested, gently pressed and the juice settled overnight before being run to a mix of large format oak barrels and small tanks for fermentation with wild yeast. The tank fermented portion was stopped with a small amount of residual sugar to provide richness to the final blend. The wine was aged on its lees with regular stirring until being blended in January 2023. 550 cases were bottled.

Food Pairing: It is delicious as a young wine but will gain complexity with time in the bottle and will make the perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes.