2021 WHITE LABEL SAXONVALE VERDELHO

Margan Verdelho has been coming from the old Saxonvale vineyards on the red volcanic soils of the Fordwich Sill for many years now. I usually do a 3-pick program for it where I pick early for acid, middle for balance and late for tropical rich spiciness. In 2021 I picked Block 15 (a 5 acre 40-year-old block) separately because it had all of the components, I look for in the one batch of fruit. The natural ripeness and acidity balance will ensure this wine drinks well young but also will mature beautifully.  Made in very small quantities, only 300 cases made

Growing Season

With much welcomed spring rain in 2020 we saw excellent canopy balance through all vineyards for our 2021 vintage. A mild summer allowed for excellent acid retention and a long ripening period resulting in elegant fruit character and seamless acid balance in white wines coming from 2021.

Vineyard

These old vines were planted in the 1970’s and produce low yielding and concentrated fruit. The vineyard is a small 5 acre block of 15 rows facing north south, planted on red volcanic clay of the Fordwich Sill.

Winemaking

The grapes for this wine were hand picked early to encourage more citrus and apple aromatics and flavours. The juice Is clarified and cold fermented with champagne yeast in stainless steel tanks to maintain elegance and subtle aromas of the variety and vineyard. This wine doesn’t see any oak and is bottled early to maintain freshness.

Tasting Notes

The rich volcanic soils of the Fordwich Sill leaves its footprint by way of a uniquely generous mid palate weight at a young age allowing this wine to be easily approached now and also age gracefully over the next 5-10yrs. Aromatics of white stone fruits are followed by a palate with guava and pineapple with a zippy acidity cleansing the palate.

Wine Composition

pH                                                          3.22

Titratable Acidity                8.2 g/L

Alcohol                                                  11.5%

Residual Sugar                                     < 1g/L

Vine Age

40 years

Food Match

Chargrilled marron with garlic butter and grilled cos

Cellaring Potential

Enjoy young and fresh, will cellar up to 5 years.