Blaufränkisch 2021
Regular price
$89.00
Sale
From Two Vines to One Barrel and 96 points
What began with two carefully selected mother vines evolved into a meticulous massal selection programme over just a few vineyard rows. Years of patience culminated in a single barrel, an extraordinarily rare expression of Blaufränkisch
We remain the only estate in New Zealand cultivating this noble Austrian variety. A mere 260 bottles exist, crafted with the discipline and finesse of fine Burgundy and awarded 96 points by James Suckling.
Vintage 2021+
Blaufränkisch is uncompromising: it demands warmth for ripeness and cool nights for its signature tension and vibrancy. The season delivered exactly that balance.
Poor flowering naturally reduced yields even further, with fruit drawn from just two short canes. A long, warm ripening period allowed for optimal phenolic maturity. Harvest took place in early April, delivering small, intensely concentrated berries with pristine health.
Hans' Winemaking Comments+
Perfect fruit, fully destemmed, underwent an extended cold soak to gently extract flavour, colour, and natural nutrients, encouraging a healthy wild yeast fermentation.
A long, cool indigenous fermentation followed, without temperature spikes, preserving aromatic purity. Extended post-maceration refined tannin structure and deepened complexity.
The wine matured for over 18 months in fine French barriques, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. Ageing on fine lees allowed subtle oxygen exchange, softening texture while maintaining freshness and precision.
No fining. No filtration. Minimal sulphur.
An additional 18 months in bottle completed its élevage.
Tasting Notes+
A finely etched aromatic profile of blueberries and black cherries, layered with baking spices, cracked pepper, and dark chocolate with a subtle chilli edge.
The palate is elegant yet quietly powerful, silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a savoury mineral backbone drawn from our gravel soils. Deeply concentrated, yet lifted and refined.
A wine of Burgundian poise with remarkable persistence and ageing potential.
Technical Data+
| Varieties |
100% Blaufrankisch |
| Vine Planted | 1996, vineyard selection, grafted on old vines |
| Soil |
Shallow (<45cm) gravel, sand-clay. Well drained. Developed from stony alluvium. |
| Planting Density |
5,500 vines/ha |
| Yield |
1.5t/ha |
| Alcohol | 14% |
| Residual Sugar |
<1 g/L |
| Ageing Potential | 15+ years |
| Bottles Produced | 260 |
Food Matching Suggestions+
Hans enjoys it with roast beef or a ribeye steak, dishes whose richness beautifully contrasts the wine’s vibrant freshness and purity of fruit.
Industry Reviews+
'Wild aromas of flowers such as dark hibiscus and violets as well as wild blackberries and brambleberries. Medium-bodied, this has a wonderful depth of fruit and a finish that grows with racy tannins that last for minutes. A shame only one barrel was made. Fabulous Blaufränkisch.'