This is the first release of Meltwater wines from Anna and Mike Paterson of Corofin fame. Whereas Corofin is a study of individual vineyards, the Meltwater wines are a blend of different blocks from across the Marlborough region.
To be honest, the idea of wines from Marlborough at this price point didn’t get my heart racing. But then I tried them and, truthfully, I should have known better.
The Corofin wines are amongst the most individual, enigmatic and delicious wines in New Zealand. It follows then that the Meltwater range, while designed to be fun to drink, great value and full of energy, gets the same attention to detail.
Meltwater Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – $23
Absolutely delicious. From a single vineyard in the southern foothills of the Wairau Valley. Hand picked and wild fermented and left on it’s lees for eight months. Beautiful aromatics of passionfruit, citrus and crushed herbs. Loads of energy on the palate. Textured, pulpy with abundant ripe lime, grapefruit and kiwifruit. Intense and refreshing. A benchmark for the style.
Meltwater Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 – $27
From a sustainably farmed vineyard in the Omaka sub-region of Marlborough. Hand picked, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented. The wine was aged in 75% old French oak barrels and the remainder in stainless steel. Underwent full malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees for eight months before being racked and bottled without fining or filtration.
Incredible aromatics, offering so much complexity. Citrus, stone fruits, creamy oatmeal, nougard and pear. The palate is rippling in it’s intensity, offering fresh pulpy fruit, minerals and a cleansing chalky mouthfeel. Amazing value and a Chardonnay that will please any lover of the varietal – regardless of stylistic preferences.
Meltwater Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 – $33
From a vineyard in the Ben-Morven sub region of Marlborough. Hand picked, 10% whole bunches included and wild fermented in three year old French Oak Barrels. Minimal sulphur used, and bottled without fining or filtration.
Heady aromas of cut flowers and red fruits. The colour is light, but there’s nothing light-on about this wine. Juicy, tangy, pulpy, textured and vibrant. Loads of red fruits, hints of blueberry, spices and earthy/gamey notes. Volumes of fruit, the wine is delicious fun and, if need be, serious. Hands down, the best value New Zealand Pinot Noir at this price point.
New Vintage Corofin
This is the story of Anna and Mike Paterson’s interpretation of individual sites in the Marlborough region. Their idea, pitch if you will, is to offer their own interpretation of a special vineyard. The approach sounds fairly typical, but these sites have established reputations and other winemakers are crafting their own wines from the same plots.
There is nothing typical about the Corofin wines. Like Meltwater, they offer terrific value considering the price of their peers. The approach here is natural and artisanal. The vineyards are organic or biodynamic. Grapes are handpicked and hand sorted. Wild yeasts only, no yeast additions, no new wood, the use of whole bunches, no acidification, no fining and no filtration.
Corofin Carter Ashmore Vineyard North Corner Chardonnay 2017 – $54
Whole bunch pressed, before being transferred to 500 litre French oak puncheon and the remainder in stainless steel. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and remained on its lees for 13 months without stirring or sulphur additions. Bottled unfined and unfiltered
Perfect Chardonnay. The full glory of Chardonnay’s sensual impact and intricacies is on show. Full bodied, with waves of pulpy yellow peach, nectarine, citrus and creamy, hazelnut notes. Terrific energy and poise, showy, without being over the top or heavy.
Corofin Settlement Vineyard East Slope Pinot Noir 2017 – $54
30% whole bunches and foot trodden. Transferred to old wood and remained on it’s lees for 13 months. Transferred to tank for a further 7 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Rich, almost full bodied with an array of kirsch, plums, cherries, blueberry and hedgerow fruits. Very complex and mouth filling. Loads of volume and a scaffold of ripe, fine tannins. The most exotic of the three Pinots.
Corofin Cowley Family Vineyard Main Slopes Pinot Noir 2017 – $54
Foot trodden with 30% whole bunches. Transferred to wood, underwent full malolactic fermentation. Remained on it’s lees for 13 months, before being racked to tank for a further 7 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Floral – reminds me of Volnay. Loads of red fruits, cherries, strawberries and cranberries. Very fine palate, the influence of the whole bunches really framing the wine and driving the finish. Lovely balance of fruit, texture, tannin and acid. Very complete. Hard to imagine a better interpretation.
Corofin Churton Vineyard Clod Block Pinot Noir 2017 – $54
Foot trodden and pressed, before being moved to barrel. After full malolactic fermentation, the wine remained on it’s lees for 13 months. Transferred to tank for a further 6 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The most linear and compact of the three Pinot’s. Perhaps the most complex too, with red and dark fruits, earth/gamey notes, asian spices, roasted coffee and fine firm sappy tannins. This will be very interesting in a decade or so. Great Pinot Noir.
Click here for our full Corofin range
