The
wines of Sato, central Otago
Impressive natural wines from New Zealand's Central Otago region
Website: www.satowines.com
While I was on a brief visit to Central
Otago in January I met with Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, who are making
small volumes of superb wines in Central Otago.
Coming to wine from a background in
investment banking, Yoshi Sato spent two years working at Felton
Road (we were at winemaker Blair Walter’s house for dinner) and
currently works at Mount Edward with Duncan Forsyth.
He has also done vintage in Burgundy and
Alsace. Yoshi is a natural winemaker, and only adds a dribble of
sulfur dioxide at bottling. The wines are made from organically
farmed vineyards in the Pisa district of Central Otago, and
they’re really compelling. Made in such small quantities,
they’ll be hard to track down though.
THE
WINES
Sato Riesling 2012 Central Otago, New
Zealand
12/5% alcohol. Just a trace of SO2 is added before bottling. Rounded
and a bit nutty with apple and citrus characters. Very fine and
expressive with lovely ripe apple character.
Sato Pinot Noir 2010 Central Otago,
New Zealand
Pisa Terrace vineyard, 30% whole bunch, just a trace of SO2
added before bottling. 13.9% alcohol. Fine, fresh and expressive
with lovely perfume: some herbs, spices and violets. Lovely pure
fruit on the palate, which is focused, fresh and elegant. Very rich
style but with such pure fruit. 94/100
Sato Pinot Noir L’Insolite 2010
Central Otago, New Zealand
100% whole bunch. Wonderfully aromatic and fresh with a vivid
green herb edge to the floral black cherry fruit. The palate has
texture and richness, as well as lovely weight. Textured and fine;
rich and fresh, with hints of chocolatey richness. Complex and
intruiging. 94/100
See
also:
Visiting
Central Otago, New Zealand (series)
Visiting
Martinborough, New Zealand (series)
Wines
tasted 01/13
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
Back
to top
|