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2024 was a brilliant vintage in Marlborough in terms of quality, not so good in terms of quantity. Mixed weather in the spring of 2023 resulted in a poor flowering and consequently low yields, down almost 40% on average across most of our varieties. Thereafter however the weather was perfect with several very hot days and crucially, later in the season, cool nights. This meant the low cropping fruit ripened perfectly and there was absolutely no disease pressure. It also meant we had one of our earliest ever harvests.
The grapes were harvested in perfect condition in mid March 2024. Harvest took place in the cool of the evening and the free run juice was predominantly fermented and handled in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion of the final blend spending some time in barrel. Extended time on lees has added to the complexity of the finished wine. It was bottled on 6 November 2024
Pale lemon in colour, it has a classical bouquet of luscious florals, Turkish delight, rose petals, yellow honeysuckle, citrus and ginger. On the palate it is a full bodied, mouth-coating wine with richness and power. It has a lovely texture, almost oily in feel, with delicate acids, subtle residual sugar, ripe stone-fruit characters, spices, ginger and turkish delight. The aftertaste is long and satisfying with the spicy notes lingering beautifully on the silky, smooth finish. It promises to age gracefully for many years.
Technical Notes
Alcohol: 13.3%, Acidity: 4.73, PH: 3.77, Residual Sugar: 8.0 g/l.
Reviews
This is gorgeously expressed on the nose, showing pineapple, mango, lychee, mixed spice, and rich floral aromas. The palate is equally seductive with succulent fruit intensity combined with fleshy texture and beautifully pitched acidity, making it flavoursome and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2032. ***** 95/100
Sam Kim. Wine Orbit Febrauary 2025
Bright, light lemon/green, it is fleshy and smooth, with fresh, generous peach, pear and spice flavours, a sliver of sweetness (6 grams/litre of residual sugar), and gentle acidity. A very harmonious wine, it shows good varietal character. ****
Michael Cooper April 2025
Subtlety at first but it all starts to grow with air, swelling with rose petal florality, red apple, honey and spice. Slower out of the blocks but now rather engaging. Textural richness yet neatly contrasting freshness and brightness. The palate plays the honey and rose water cards rather well, but never over-sweet. The integration promises enjoyment from day one. Excellent
Mark Henderson, ODT, June 2025
With 6g/l of residual sugar and 14% alcohol this is a Gewurz in the Alsace style: full, textured and aromatic with weight and presence. Hallmark notes of lychee, Mandarin orange and exotic spicing are the aromas, then the palate flows with juicy and exotic fruit. The sweetness is there, making this a banker for spicy Chinese cuisine, but the balance is impeccable, then there's the mouth-filling texture, to leave this substantial, clean and delicious. 91/100
Tom Cannavan. Wine-pages.com. May 2025