Organic. Planted in 2002, The Wrekin Vineyard occupies its own small locality tucked into the foothills of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. It’s a significant site for Corofin, and the region in general, providing both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of “exceptional individuality and quality,” according to Mike Paterson.
Owned by Jan and Andrew Johns and farmed by Jeremy Highland, Wrekin sits in the lee of the Southern Valley scarps on clay-rich soils laid over greywacke mother rock. Orientated northeast and planted at 4000 vines per hectare (to moderate vigour), it’s also one of the highest vineyards in the valley, producing archetypal cool-climate fruit that balances fleshy texture with racy drive.
Hand-harvested on March 19th and raised in 500-litre seasoned French oak puncheons, the wines aged for two winters in the cellar building texture and freshness from it’s lees. Of the two single-vineyard Chardonnays this year, Wrekin is more knife-edged, with white stone fruit and Meyer lemon exuberance pulsating through the chalky finish.