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Organic. Planted in 2002, The Wrekin Vineyard occupies its own small locality tucked into the foothills of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, a place the John’s family refer to a Fairhall Valey. 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.
Oriented 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. Mike Paterson explains that this site gives him Corofin’s most dense and dark-fruited expression. The gorgeous, svelte 2023 is, then, true to form; a wonderfully layered fusion of sweet-toned, wild berry fruit, herbal lift and delicate oak spice. The nicely sculpted tannins draw the flavours into a super finish. It’s still in its cocoon phase and has everything required to age gracefully for a decade.