Petane Mangatahi Valley Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2023 $42 
Organically and biodynamically grown out on Linda and Ian Quinn’s Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi, where the boulders that push their way up through the earth between the vines are called the “Mangatahi Swedes”, this chenin blanc is hand-picked and 100% barrel fermented and rolls down the elegantly dry side of the street. Scented with green apple, almond and a tweak of ginger and lemongrass, it’s a crunchy-crisp wine with bracing acidity and a hint of chamomile on its energetic finish. Winemaker Philip Barber’s own vineyard and winery in the Esk Valley was wiped out in Cyclone Gabrielle that year, so it was only with generously supplied fruit like this, that he was able to make any wine from 2023.
PLUS be on the look out for his new sauvignon blanc (created from 4 entave clones from Gisborne, alongside a late harvest edelzwicker, a new Hawke’s Bay Pet Nat, a Gisborne Syrah AND a cabernet sauvignon from Margaret River! Exciting stuff from Petane!
