2024 Namu Blanc - White Blend
Namu Blanc is a textural and vibrant white blend that tells the story of the unique soils and bedrock of Hawke’s Bay, from young alluvial and old, glacial river deposits to silt overlying limestone.
Flint and almonds open up to a wild mix of lime zest, melon and chamomile flowers.
Juicy, yet dry, this wine flows into stone fruit and tangy grapefruit with a fresh and chalky mouthfeel and brilliant acidity.
Only 588 bottles produced.
Namu Blanc is a textural and vibrant white blend that tells the story of the unique soils and bedrock of Hawke’s Bay, from young alluvial and old, glacial river deposits to silt overlying limestone.
Flint and almonds open up to a wild mix of lime zest, melon and chamomile flowers.
Juicy, yet dry, this wine flows into stone fruit and tangy grapefruit with a fresh and chalky mouthfeel and brilliant acidity.
Only 588 bottles produced.
Namu Blanc is a textural and vibrant white blend that tells the story of the unique soils and bedrock of Hawke’s Bay, from young alluvial and old, glacial river deposits to silt overlying limestone.
Flint and almonds open up to a wild mix of lime zest, melon and chamomile flowers.
Juicy, yet dry, this wine flows into stone fruit and tangy grapefruit with a fresh and chalky mouthfeel and brilliant acidity.
Only 588 bottles produced.
Details
Mangatahi – 39% of blend
The Mangatahi vineyards sit on ancient river terraces formed by the braided Ngaruroro River.
Located inland and between two mountain ranges the organically farmed vineyard benefits from low rainfall, warm days and cool nights.
Raukawa Hills – 37% of blend
The Geenty’s vineyard sits at approximately 150m above sea level in the limestone rich Raukawa hills to the south of the Heretaunga plains.
Bridge Pa – 24% of blend
Planted in 2003, the organic Paritua vineyard sits on an old riverbed of gently rolling and flat land. The soils are made up of free draining “red metal” gravels overlaid by alluvium derived by loess, volcanic ash, greywacke and limestone.
Season
Two cool seasons prior to 2024, coupled with a reasonably wet and cold spring of 2023 led to low bunch numbers and a long flowering period. Small, open bunches and low yields were the result, which isn’t a great thing for the wallet but is amazing for quality.
The rest of the 2024 season was near perfect, with bright, warm days and cool nights producing amazingly balanced and vibrant fruit characters while holding on to brilliant texture and acidity.
Winemaking
61% - Sauvignon
29% - Chardonnay
10% - Albarino
The winemaking philosophy here was to craft a wine that highlighted the partnerships of many soils and varieties, with an artistic vision free from artificial boundaries. So, picking when the fruit was right, not following a recipe and allowing the process to flow instinctively.
Chardonnay from Mangatahi was pressed to tank to start wild fermentation spontaneously. After a week or so, Sauvignon from the Raukawa Hills was pressed on top, while the Sauvignon from Bridge Pa was destemmed and fermented on skins for a gentle extraction of flavour.
As we pressed this skinsy Sauvignon, a light touch of Albarino was added to complete the mix before it was all transferred to a large old oak barrel to complete 4 months of maturation.
100% Malolactic Fermentation.
A little sulphur was added two weeks before bottling.
Unfined and unfiltered.
Alc - 12.0%
Green apple, chamomile, pink grapefruit and lime zest are followed by flint and mineral like flavours.
A pure, crystalline and textural palate, the barrel ferment has added great complexity and length.
This wine is dry and crisp with a crunchy, popping acid line.