Description / Reviews
"Yoshiaki Sato is a star in the making. He worked at Mount Edward wines, and started his first vintage of his own label in 2009. Yoshi’s early influences were the natural winemakers in France, and after working with Domaine Bizot in Vosne-Romanée and Domaine Pierre Frick in Alsace, he then moved to New Zealand and worked for a few years at Felton Road. Yoshi states Mike Weersing “has been a great inspiration and mentor” in his quest to make natural wine from the organic vineyards situated in Mt Pisa. Yoshi refuses to use industrial yeast and bacteria and tries not to add any chemicals or additives during vinification and maturation in barrels. He adds only 15ppm of SO2 at bottling, as he believes SO2 destroys natural microbial balance and breaks the original natural ferment flavour. With all of these factors in winemaking, he believes Sato Wines directly reflect the terroir of the vineyard expressing the original natural flavour of the grapes." - Naked Bunch, Importer
"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. Drink or hold." - 95 points, James Suckling
"This and the Chenin are standouts and the best value from their release each year. This is outstanding, but perhaps I'm biased for Franc (underrated in my opinion). Opulent, blackfruited, like you're sitting by a warm fire on a serene night. Waxy red crayon, fresh tar, overall extremely well-balanced. Just well made wine." - Shaniah Ugarte, The Wine Emporium
