Tantalus Méthode Traditionnelle Brut NV

The Tantalus NV Méthode Traditionnelle offers aromas of chamomile and patisserie pear combined with lifted notes of apple blossom topped with a hint of marzipan. The fine mousse serves up a palate of nectarine and red skinned apple, honeysuckle and brioche. Balanced acidity and a fine textural richness provide a long elegant finish.

• Winery: Tantalus Estate
  
• Varietal: Pinot Noir (65%), Chardonnay (21%), Pinot Meunier (14%)
  
• Region: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
  
• Vintage: NV
  
• Alcohol: 12%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
  
• Other: Contains sulphites
  
• Food match: Gougères choux pastry, Mascarpone and salmon verrine, Duck rillettes, Classic fish pie, Raspberry frangipane tart
  

Whole bunched pressed and slowly fermented following the traditional method developed in the french region of Champagne. A smooth malolactic fermentation followed and the young wines were blended with several reserve wines, some going back to 2007, which adds depth and huge complexity. Tiraged in February 2015 and disgorged in May 2020, totalling 5 years on lees which created crystal ultra-premium bubbles and added a creamy texture.

Nobody thought that the Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island could be restored to its former glory, but when you’re the kind of people where determination replaces sleep like Campbell and Carrie Aitken, anything is possible! After tirelessly pruning, clipping, and ripping out the original vines, a bit of experience in tourism (and a lot of determined Kiwi ingenuity), Campbell and Carrie bought and transformed the old brewery into the estate that it is today: Proud, elegant and premium.

The Aitken’s love and understanding of people and cultures is the foundation of everything that they do at Tantalus Estate, and it shows in their winery as well as their hospitality. Their winemaking process is characterised by elegance and subtlety, constantly pursuing excellence and carefully choreographing every step of production so that each vintage is better than the last, every drop leaving an indelible impression.