2021 Konpira Maru El Pacu
WINEMAKER: Alistair Reed & Sam Cook
REGION: Whitlands, VIC
VARIETAL: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc
VITICULTURE: Organic/Sustainable
El Pacu was born from the need for the ultimate wine-food match; a textural white with the vegetarian piranha of Peru. Teeth like humans, and ribs like pork, the fig-loving El Pacu of the Amazonian head waters is a treat to catch and a treat to eat.
The original incarnation of our El Pacu wine was a skinsy Chardonnay from New England in 2017. That was a lovely drop but this one ups the ante with some premo Chardy and Pinot Noir from up on the Whitlands plateau, a touch of Riesling from the Mt Bellvue ridge (also Whitlands), Arneis from the banks of the Boggy Creek, and a dabble of Sav B from the Grampians. What it makes is a bright and light white ready for a side of piranha and some fun and breezy times.
A palate of blueberry and passionfruit, and a textured palate of lemon meringue pie. Best served with fresh BBQed El Pacu.
The name Konpira Maru has something to do with a fishing trawler and a heroin syndicate. You'd have to ask Al and Sam about that. What we do know is they're seriously good at making wine. Minimal intervention, maximum care.