SATO - LA FERME DE SATO

Iconic Central Otago cult producers Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato have built a legendary reputation for crafting wines of rare purity, tension, and finesse. Last night at MW, Kyoko joined us to host an intimate masterclass showcasing the latest lineup from their high-altitude, organically farmed, Mt Pisa estate, "La Ferme de Sato."

Unsurprisingly, all six wines performed brilliantly—a sentiment backed up by the glowing reviews below.

Allocations have just opened, but quantities are extremely limited. Secure yours at special member pricing, available for 7 days only.

SCHISTEUX CHENIN BLANC 2022
96 POINTS / JAMESSUCKLING.COM

....Fascinating. Dense yet lively with flavor. Creamy texture and an intense finish with some lemons and apricots. (2023 VINTAGE)

USUALLY $75 SPECIAL $65

LE CHANT DU VENT CHARDONNAY 2022
17.5 / JANCISROBINSON.COM

Delicate and relatively crystalline. Almost 'jagged' acidity. With a lovely liquorice undertow. A really interesting artisanal wine. Very long and intriguing.

USUALLY $75 SPECIAL $65

LES BLANCHES CHARDONNAY 2023
96 POINTS-5 STARS / INSIDEBURGUNDY.COM

Super concentrated with an almost tobacco leaf character. Rich and dense but tightly wound. The phenolics give a lovely gentle chalky texture. Could almost be Roussanne with its savoury dried apple skin flavours and faint nutty edge. For all the richness there's a really succulent spine of acidity.

USUALLY $105 SPECIAL $95

ALYSSUM GAMAY 2023
96 POINTS / JAMESSUCKLING.COM

Clearly the best gamay in New Zealand, showing perfumed aromas of flowers, black pepper and cloves as well as orange peel with wet earth. Medium-bodied. This has a solid core of fruit and an extremely long finish with granite and slate undertones, just like a top Morgon.

USUALLY $75 SPECIAL $65

SOUS BOIS CABERNET FRANC 2023
95 POINTS / JAMESSUCKLING.COM

.A very elegant cabernet franc, showing crushed berries, oranges and cedar with some fresh lemongrass. Medium-bodied with fine, integrated tannins and a polished finish. Refined but strong.

USUALLY $75 SPECIAL $65

SUR LES NUAGES PINOT NOIR 2023
97 POINTS-5 STARS / INSIDEBURGUNDY.COM

All the fruit destemmed fruit here... this has a strong savoury red fruited aroma of pomegranate, sour red cherry and plum. Very concentrated, as it sits in the glass it opens up to reveal leaf tobacco and porcini mushroom. Structured and dense, the bold tannic frame underpins the fruit. There's 22% new oak in here somewhere but the concentrated fruit absorbs it totally. This is an impressive, complex pinot noir that really demands longer in bottle to show at its best.

USUALLY $79 SPECIAL $69

YOSHIAKI & KYOKO SATO

Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato have been making wine in NZ’s Central Otago since moving there from Tokyo in 2006. Starting out at Felton Rd, Yoshiaki subsequently became winemaker at neighbouring Mt Edward, and Kyoko continued to be vineyard supervisor at Felton Rd, until 2018 when they both decided to focus full time on their own wines. Starting with their first Sato release in 2009 they have established a well deserved cult following in NZ, Australia and beyond.

Since 2016 they have farmed their own plot under Mt Pisa, La Ferme de Sato, with 2019 the first release from this property, and another chapter in what will no doubt be an exciting journey.