The Hermit Ram - Field Blend Ancestral Sparkling, Canterbury, New Zealand (2022)

TASTING NOTES

Red apple and bitter pink grapefruit with umami soy sauce and a slight marzipan finish. Fun in a glass!...or two...

Pinot Noir on skins, direct press Chardonnay and a co-ferment of Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc in tank are blended with second fermentation in bottle. The wine isn't disgorged (but it is well settled before going into bottle!) Beautiful orange colour.

In 2012 Theo Coles discovered the Limestone Hills vineyard in Canterbury in the north of New Zealand’s South Island.  Owned by Gareth Renowdon, Theo agreed to make some wine with him from his 1000 or so Pinot Noir vines. Limestone Hills vineyard is naturally farmed, and the first vintage (2012) was that way too, no additions and matured in old oak.

Since then Theo has expanded the range to include the skin fermented Sauvignon Blanc and Müller-Thurgau, a field blend rosé and another Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from tiny vineyards throughout the Canterbury region, all naturally farmed without chemicals and Theo is keen to stress that every wine has its own story to tell.

We agree and would add that this is some of the most exciting wine to come out of New Zealand for a long time and a turning point for authentic, artisan winemakers in a country so often associated with mass-produced juice.  These are wines with personality, depth, complexity and most importantly drinkability.