Known Unknown
Maraekakaho Gamay 2021 750ml

e're especially excited about this one and it's something of an evolution for Known Unknown. It's the first of a series of three 2021 wines that are labeled simply with their variety and sub-region (Syrah and Chard will be out later in the year). This is an acknowledgment that these wines are less about crazy winemaking and more about expressing a grape through the lens of a place while they are still fun, bright and fruit-driven they are more serious, expressive and a little bit more at home on the table of a top restaurant than, say, Pink Robots.

Our 2021 Gamay is from the Lucknow Vineyard in Maraekakaho in Central Hawkes Bay… it is a blend of a whole bunch ferment aged in barrels for 10 months and a portion of destemmed fruit that underwent extended maceration on skins for 90 days before being pressed to tank and blended together about 6 weeks ago. As for the wine, we definitely think it sits alongside Cru level Beaujolais as well as other finer examples of the style made here in NZ. It balances ripe, earthy fruit with a hint of vanillin from the oak and a soft herbal note from the extended maceration. It's medium-weight and can be served chilled or cellar temperature and can be aged carefully for up to 5 years from vintage.