TERRA SANCTA: THE STORY OF A SACRED EARTH
The estate, purchased by Sarah and Mark in 2011 was originally planted in 1991 when this Central Otago only had 16ha in total. The vineyard is about 30K east of Queenstown and it’s no surprise the area is often cold! However, the various high ranges surrounding the vines offer protection from sea breezes and therefore the climate is more “continental” (in summer the max. can be over 30C but the min. only 10C!). This gives ripeness but also acid retention essential for great wines. Randall
SPECIAL
2021 Francois Gaunoux Meursault Clos des Tavaux MonopoleWAS $258 | NOW $135
This clos is a 1ha plot of 50yo vines surrounding the cellar and house, near meursault Chevalieres and Meix Chavau, close to the limestone Santenots 1er Cru section on Meurasult , the border of Montalie and Auxey. This wine is said to have more energy and freshness whereas the Miex Chavaux has more richness and roundness. These grapes are destemmed (which is unusual in Burgundy , but we assume for the same reasons "of purity" that no oak is used. There is a beautiful sense of tension in the wines , but also nuances of brioche, roasted almonds, citrus fruits and beautiful minerality, with just a dash of "Meursault" lanolin. At 5yo it's still a baby. Randall.
