It is always a good time of year when Hans releases a new wine. They have come from their slumber from maturing in bottle. Each vintage you can expect a wine with exceptional quality and varietal distinctiveness, which is why when we release a new vintage we know exactly what we are getting. Complexity, structure, balance – a seamless and perfectly integrated wine which demonstrates its heritage: single vineyard, alluvial soils, low yields and immensely concentrated ripe fruit. It is with this that we are proud to introduce our latest releases of Arneis, Mistral, Tempranillo and Zweigelt.
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Arneis 2018
The main white grape variety from Piedmont (North-West Italy), favouring soils composed of gravel and sand such like its home on the Tanaro River. Here on our Estate adjacent to the mighty Wairau River it grows on the very same soils at extremely low yields producing healthy, flavourful berries ripened to perfection.
Hans left the fruit on a short cold soak to extract all the goodness of the skins before progressing to its natural fermentation. Regular lees stirring assisted to its complexity and depth. This unoaked nectar retained its delicate aromas and flavours with an elegant creamy finish. One to drink in its youth to make the most of its freshness.
The Real Review – 94 points
“Rich, unctuous Arneis with intense apple, pear, ginger and citrus flavours supported by a thread of bright acidity. A fresh, high-energy wine with a crisp, dry and lingering finish.” Bob Campbell
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Mistral 2017
A luscious blend of Viognier (50%), Marsanne (30%) and Roussanne (20%), the only blend of its kind within New Zealand. Our Mistral see’s the typical and coveted varieties from The Rhone Valley which do not do well with high heat, which is why they thrive in its home origin due to the cool wind which blows through the region (Mistral, hence our name!). Marlborough allows this grape variety to bath in warm sunlight in our gravelly sandy soils and cool down during the night, very much like the influence from the Mistral.
Like all our wines, once picked these grapes proceeds to a short cold soak before being gently pressed and put into French oak puncheons for fermentation. Our Marsanne and Roussanne were co-fermented and once this was finished all 3 varieties were blended into two barrels to mature on its fine lees for 18 months. The finished wine is a white powerhouse! Extreme intensity both on the nose and on the pallet with magnificent depth and richness. Try it for yourself if you do not believe us!
The Real Review – 95 points
“A classic white Rhône blend of Viognier 50%, Marsanne (30%) and Roussanne (20%). Rich, creamy and intense wine with peach, dried tree fruits, vanilla, anise and spice flavours. An appealing texture and impressive power.” Bob Campbell
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Zweigelt 2016
Our Austrian powerhouse, a crossing between Blaufränkisch & St Laurent, two of the most famous varieties from its native origin. Zweigelt is said to combine some of the best qualities from its parents, creating wines with deep, rich, purple-crimson colour. From St-Laurent it gets its bright, Pinot-like cherry aromas and the ability to create silky, elegant wines. From Blaufränkisch it has taken a certain spiciness and great acidity. This wonderful wine was matured in French oak barriques for 18 months before going through further maturation in bottle for an additional 3 years. A great addition for any avid wine lovers!
The Real Review – 94 points
“Austria's most-planted red grape variety appears to thrive on Marlborough soils if this full-flavoured wine is anything to go by. Richly-textured, silken zweigelt with plum, dark berry, raspberry, rhubarb, and fresh herb flavours. An appealing wine with promising bottle development potential.” Bob Campbell
Jancis Robinson – 16.5+
Mid to deep garnet. Generously aromatic with spicy dark-red fruits as well as plenty of oak spice and sweetness but the oak does not overwhelm the fruit. Chewy but smooth texture and a really good balance between fruit sweetness, freshness and firm but polished tannins. Plenty of varietal character and there's no great hurry to drink this though there is a hint of something leathery and a note of dried cherries that show the start of the characteristics that come with bottle age. It may age longer but I think generally Zweigelt is better when there is still plenty of fruit flavour. Julia Harding
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Tempranillo 2017
A popular variety and rightly so. Tempranillo means ‘little early one’ and refers to the fact that it ripens earlier than most Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo is Spain’s answer to Cabernet Sauvignon, the variety that puts the spine into a high proportion of Spain’s most respected red wines. This whine is well adapted in the New World, the variety does best when hot, sunny days allow its thick-skinned berries to ripen fully, with cold nights to help them to retain their natural acid balance. The result is bright, lively, fruit-driven wines. It is no surprise then that this variety does extremely well in Marlborough. After its cold soak, natural fermentation and gentle pressing the wine matured in French oak barriques for 36 months, still in our eyes a young wine, this is ready to drink now but will benefit from further maturation in bottle.
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