A single vineyard white, from the excellent Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi – good to see Gordon Russell continuing with this variety, a signature wine of his. Palest lemon-green in the glass, with a tempting bouquet of apple strudel, satsuma, tarragon, grapefruit and honeysuckle florals. Dry, medium bodied and beautifully balanced into the palate. More citrus and some apricot, quince and marmalade fruit notes emerge. A fruit tannin, lees-infuenced texture that’s showing a pithy astringency seasoned with white pepper and nutmeg. A savoury element comes through at the end – green olive, filo pastry and a saline, flinty minerality. 92pts
Esk Valley Chenin Blanc 2021
