Organic. Planted in 2002, the Wrekin Vineyard is a small, organically certified (Biogro) and biodynamically farmed site at the top of the Brancott Valley, almost in its own locality. It’s a great new site for Corofin, providing both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of “exceptional individuality and quality”, according to Paterson. Owned by Jan and Andrew Johns and farmed by Jeremy Highland, Wrekin sits in the lee of the scarps of the Southern Valley foothills, 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 fruit that is often the last to be harvested each year.
Hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, this release was fermented wild on high solids in three 500-litre seasoned French oak puncheons and a single 300-litre stainless steel barrel. Racked to tank after five months, the wine then stayed on lees for another five months before being bottled (unfined and unfiltered).
A gripping, tightly wound Chardonnay with salivating drive and energy, rippling with chalky texture.