2019 La Ferme de Sato ‘Schisteaux’ Chenin Blanc Cult Wine

While we have featured the wines of Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato in the past, the previous wines we’ve offered have all been négoce wines, that is to say wines made with bought fruit. Introducing Le Ferme de Sato aka Sato Farm. Purchased in 2015 and planted in 2016 these are wines made from young vines but are nevertheless exceptional, Schisteaux refers to the Schist soil this wine is grown on and this wine was pressed overnight and aged for 16 months in old barrels before being bottled with minimal added sulphur. Its an intensely mineral expression of Central Otago Chenin made for the cellar. It is exceptional. 

“Golden yellow in colour, this is brilliantly perfumed and full on the nose, bursting with intensely concentrated complexity. Quince, yellow plums, pineapple and citron form the high notes, joined by spicy oxidative aromas that hint at chermoula and fenugreek. This gives way in waves to a waxy, honeyed richness that wells up from underneath. It actually smells powerfully dense. The rich, full-bodied dry palate delivers on the promise in spades. Voluptuous in texture with mouth-coating concentration and an energy which reverberates through to a stunning finish which just lasts and lasts. The flavours flit between golden abalone, enoki and manuka honey in the most engaging way. For young Chenin vines to have expressed this much richness and power is a testament to Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato’s work.“