Since taking up the helm of the Compagnie Vinicole in 1997, Benjamin and Ariane de Rothschild have been guardians of a legacy that began when Edmond de Rothschild, Benjamin’s father, bought the then little-known Château Clarke. Conscious of the privilege and duty of nurturing the heritage that was handed to them, Benjamin and Ariane had been decided to provide it a global presence and to discover different premium terroirs with the identical pioneering spirit and fervour. The Edmond de Rothschild Heritage estates now symbolize 500 hectares throughout six properties in France, South Africa, Spain, Argentina and New Zealand.
The place with the outlet within the cloud
Benjamin and Ariane de Rothschild’s New Zealand journey began in 2012 with the acquisition of 24 hectares in one of many nation’s most original terroirs, the Wairau Valley, a spot the place a definite terroir and mesoclimate yield fruit of unimaginable focus and complexity. Wairau – referred to by the Māori as ‘the place with the outlet within the cloud’, or ‘Kei puta te Wairau’ – has one among New Zealand’s highest common sunshine hours per yr which, in tandem with the cool maritime local weather, permits grapes to ripen over an prolonged development season whereas growing an unimaginable array of aromas and flavours.
And thus, the Rimapere venture was born. The phrase, which means ‘5 arrows’ in Māori, pays tribute each to the Rothschild household’s coat of arms (5 arrows symbolising the 5 sons of dynasty founder Mayer Amschel Rothschild, out to overcome the world) and conventional New Zealand tradition.
This identical assembly of cultures additionally guides the manufacturing of the property’s wines. Head winemaker Anne Escalle leads a passionate workforce that mixes a deep understanding of the native terroir and conventional practices with precision viticulture and winemaking. Their work within the winery and cellar follows the identical ‘jeweller-like’ craftsmanship which has led the event and growth of all Edmond de Rothschild Heritage estates.
Rimapere Plot 101 – excellence achieved
The boutique strategy to winemaking adopted at Rimapere has its epitome within the Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc, which distils and sublimates the essence of the Wairau terroir. Hand picked grapes hailing from a 2.6-hectare plot had been partially fermented in barrel and aged on the lees with frequent stirring over six months, making a wine of unimaginable stability and textural complexity.
The work and dedication of the viticultural and winemaking groups have been rightly recognised, solely two years after the Plot 101 was first produced, with the quite a few awards received by the 2021 classic.
On the Decanter Wine World Awards 2022 the jury gave it a whopping 97 factors rating, highlighting the ‘haunting, layered and delicate’ aromas and the linear, sinewy ‘ texture and perspective’. ‘The memorable acids are rounded, ripe and resonant on this wholly profitable Sauvignon.’ they concluded. Additional to the Platinum medal, the Plot 101 additionally received ‘Finest in Present’, because the highest-scoring wine in its class.
A warming reward for a New Zealand journey that’s simply beginning.
Ka pai!
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© Jim Tannock
