Hans Herzog
‘MISTRAL’ Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne 2021 750ml

"Terrific Rhone Blend!" James Suckling

60% Marsanne, 20% Viognier, 20% Roussanne

This Rhone Valley blend is grown on gravel and sand to an extremely low yield. A  blockbuster with ‘off-the-charts’ aromas of honeyed quince and lemon verbena and so much more. While it promises beautiful aging potential, its flamboyance suggests you'll likely enjoy it long before then. Richness and depth, reminiscent of a hot summer stroll through a Mediterranean herb garden, are followed by a creamy, mouth-filling texture and a lingering, spicy finish.

Vintage 2021

While our grapes thrive in Marlborough's cool nights and sun-drenched days, the name pays homage to the Mistral wind of France, the homeland of these noble Rhône grape varieties. This brisk wind, cooling Rhône Valley vineyards, preserves grape acidity during scorching summers.

In our sandy, gravelly soils, grapes soak up the sun by day and find solace in the cool nights of the growing season.

The 2021 vintage, though one of our smallest, is of exceptional quality. A cool spring led to poor fruit set, and a hot, dry summer further reduced yields. This resulted in an early harvest of intensely aromatic and concentrated grapes.

Hans' Winemaking Notes

The pristine fruit underwent cold maceration (skin contact) to extract complex compounds from the flesh, pulp, skins, and seeds, enhancing aromatic intensity, texture, and colour.

The must of the Marsanne and Roussanne underwent a long, cool wild yeast co-fermentation, maturing in a single 500L French oak puncheon on fine lees for 18 months.

The Viognier, fermented separately with the same natural approach, also aged in a puncheon for 18 months before blending. No fining (Vegan), no cold stabilization, and only coarse filtration to maintain purity and vibrancy.