2022 Corofin Wrekin Vineyard Chardonnay, Marlborough

Saline, nutty, a light manzanilla-like top note, fennel, honey, subtle peach, rockmelon and citrus, though primary fruit is not really its thing. It’s bright and gently chalky, salted pistachio and some oatmeal richness, quite some tang though it, though it keeps itself nicely balanced, closing with excellent length, some chamomile perfume and salted lemon in the aftertaste. Something of a Jura quality about this wine, I feel, so if that’s in your wheelhouse, then you’ll be well served here.”

94 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au

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 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 fruit that is often the last to be harvested.

No matter the season, yields are always low at the Wrekin site, and though crops were healthier in 2022 than the preceding year (25hl/ha), levels did not exceed those stipulated for Grand Cru Burgundy (35hl/ha). The fruit was picked by hand on 23rd March and gently pressed as bunches to tank. Only the soft pressings were used, and fermentation occurred in two seasoned 500-litre puncheons and one 280-litre stainless-steel barrel. After a leisurely fermentation (seven weeks), the wine underwent full malolactic conversion and 12 months’ maturation. The wine rested for a further eight months in tank before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. 

Corofin Wrekin Vineyard Chardonnay from Marlborough is a refined single-vineyard wine crafted to express the unique terroir of the Wrekin Vineyard in the Southern Valleys. Winemaker Mike Paterson of Corofin Wines focuses on minimal intervention, allowing the cool-climate character of the vineyard to shine through with precision and elegance. The vineyard’s clay and limestone-rich soils contribute to a complex minerality and natural acidity in the wine.

On the nose, Wrekin Vineyard Chardonnay presents aromas of citrus blossom, green apple, and white peach, complemented by a touch of flint and hazelnut. The palate is balanced and beautifully textured, with flavors of ripe pear, lemon, and a hint of almond from subtle oak aging. Bright acidity and a mineral edge provide a refreshing lift, leading to a long, clean finish with lingering citrus and a delicate note of salinity.

This Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pastas, and soft cheeses. Its complexity and structure make it a versatile choice for both food pairings and cellaring, where it promises to develop further depth over time.