Merekara Chenin Blanc “Les Sélectionnés” 2023/24 is an elegant, dry white wine from Merekara Wines, an ultra-boutique, family-run winery in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand. The estate was founded by Sandra and Jaco van Hensbergen, Dutch-born winemakers and sommeliers who bring meticulous, hands-on care to their vineyards and make small quantities of site-expressive wines with minimal intervention and careful attention from vine to bottle. They focus on 100 % hand-picked fruit and highlight varietal purity and texture in every release. This Les Sélectionnés bottling is made from 100 % Chenin Blanc grapes selected from the best bunches on north-facing vines. The grapes were hand-picked and given a whole-bunch press before a wild yeast fermentation in barrel and puncheon, followed by malolactic fermentation and about 10 months’ maturation in oak to build texture while preserving freshness. In the glass it shows a pale straw to lemon hue with a very faint haze and a fragrant nose of ripe apple, stone fruit and a subtle nutty/almond note. The palate brings ripe stone fruit and green apple flavours framed by a fine acid backbone and a slight saline/wet-stone texture, finishing crisp and dry with a layered, elegant character. This Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, shellfish, roast chicken with herbs, creamy goat cheese or fresh salads, and also stands well on its own as a refreshing, food-friendly white. Why we love this wine? We love Chenin and this wine is shows its terroir beautifully with its green fruit flavours and mineral texture!
