2021 Millton Clos de Ste Anne Chenin Blanc

95 Points John Caro
In stock
This special Chenin Blanc is from 'down there' (La Bas) in a special, lower-lying plot on Millton's Clos de Ste Anne hillside at Manutuke, Gisborne. Lees-aged for nine months in large, 600-litre oak barrels ('demi-muids'), this wonderful expression of the grape offers a compelling depth and crisp acidity, rather like the great dry Vouvrays of the Loire. It will age magnificantly.
$81.99 in mixed 6+ or $91.99 per bottle

Grape

Chenin Blanc

Its Origins

The first biodynamic estate in New Zealand (and the first in the Southern Hemisphere to gain Demeter certification), James and Annie Millton have been growing wine in Manutuke on the banks of the Te Arai river in Gisborne since 1984. Farmed from inception in this manner, it was built on the backbone of family winegrowing in the area, with both James and Annie's parents having vines in what is now known as "Opou" and "Riverpoint". The Clos de Ste. Anne is a single vineyard situated on steep north-facing slopes in the foothills of Poverty Bay. The grapes are all hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts present in the vineyard. The estate is mostly known for their Chenin Blanc - a benchmark for the country - but they also grow wonderful Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and Riesling.

What The Critics Say

Winemaker notes on current vintage

"This wine is complete; the acidity holds true all the way through. There are aromas of honey, pears and bees wax and quince paste with a hint of warm wool and starched linen. The savoury acidity while a quince-like flavour gives lift and great length to the overall taste. This wine will evolve beautifully, and gain honeyed richness, over the next dozen or so years. In the world of wine this Chenin Blanc has its own place. -- Within this little vineyard we make separate selections, pressed according to the profile of skin thickness, seed ripeness and mouth feel. The moon plays a part in this process as well. Whole clusters are gently pressed and we let the juice start fermenting on its own accord. Once this process is going and we know the yeasts are healthy we transfer the juice to large 600 litre demi muids barrels, where it stays for eighteen months. We don’t do anything except to discourage malolactic fermentation as we want the wine to have nerve and a chipped stone minerality from the retained malic acid. Aging ‘sur lie’ gives texture and depth to the palate and a quince like character to the nose."

97/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2020 vintage)

"Very elegant and sophisticated with core mineral and varietal scents of baked apple and wet chalk, wild white flowers with a touch of quince and sweet lemon. Fantastic on the palate with an equally elegant mouthfeel, rich in character, a fine coarse silk texture and white fleshed fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet. Youthful with a vibrant acid line and fine chalk-like mineral quality. Lengthy finish, a lovely wine ready for drinking from late 2023 through 2033+."

94/100 Bob Campbell MW (2020 vintage)

"Serious chenin blanc with concentrated red apple, honeycomb, oyster shell, citrus/grapefruit, lanolin and root ginger flavours threaded on a fine line of chunky acidity. Can be appreciated now but shows obvious cellaring potential."

Variety Chenin Blanc
Region Gisborne
Closure Cork
Volume 750 ml
Maturity 2023 - 2032

This Wine Goes Well With

with CHICKEN
with PORK
with SALMON

Taste

3

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