NZ-Wide 
NZ-Wide
Free Shipping
Buy OnlineWe reckon d'Arenberg are not only the masters of great wine names, but of having some of the best value/quality around. There are no shortcuts taken in the production of any of the wines – low yields, foot trodden, basket pressed all make for seriously good wines.
Crawl out of your Chardonnay, Sauvignon or Gris shell and try something a little off to the side. This Rhône blend from the McLaren Vale is just thing to keep you comfortable moving out of your comfort zone. It has delicious flavours, wonderful texture and makes for a cracking glass of wine.
The two white Rhône grape varieties marry together very well here, with the apricot stone fruit, ginger peel flavours of the Viognier being balanced by the lemon/orange pith flavours added from the Marsanne. Medium bodied with a touch of juicy acidity adding freshness.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Many of McLaren Vale’s vineyards are on free-draining soils underlain with limestone, formed by the calcareous remains of the local marine fauna. One such creature was the Hermit Crab, a reclusive little crustacean that inhabits the cast-off shells of others. The Osborn family thought the name appropriate for this, McLaren Vale’s first ever blend of Viognier and Marsanne. “Hermit” is also an abbreviation for the French appellation where the Marsanne grape variety dominates.
Small batches of grapes are crushed gently and transferred to stainless steel basket presses. Fermentation is long and moderately cool to retain fresh fruit characters. About 4% underwent wild fermentation for extra complexity. 14% of the Viognier is fermented in aged French Oak to add mouth feel and support the subtle Viognier tannins. The Marsanne component received similar treatment, but was not blended until the final stages of the winemaking process.
Very aromatic! This vintage is more delicate and floral than we are used to with The Hermit Crab. But at the same time, it is very tropical. Pineapple leaps straight away leaps from the glass. It’s a medium bodied white wine, with green papaya, melon, white nectarine, stone fruits, followed by a little hint of ginger on the finish. A little bit of dryness, yet still fresh. Slightly warm from the higher alcohol content."
91/100 JamesSuckling.com (2021 Vintage)
"There’s a little marsanne in the mix here. This has attractive apricot viognier fruit on the nose with some sweet florals. Fleshy feel on the palate with a riot of stone-fruit, fresh-citrus and green-mango flavours. Such good value and so much flavour on offer. I like the textural qualities, too."
91/100 Ken Gargett, WinePilot.com, February 2022 (2021 vintage)
"A deep yellow/gold in colour, there is an array of flavours all combining in harmony – the tropical notes, with apricot kernels and nuts, certainly almonds. Stonefruits and florals, with the passionfruit and pineapple. Lovely lifted aromatics. There is good acidity carrying the wine, decent length and all is well balanced. Peaches appear on the palate. Full of flavour, this is quite delicious. Drink it over the next 12 months. Seriously good value."
92/100 qwinerevews.com (2021 Vintage)
"Get around this bargain lovers. Freshly picked apricots, apricot nectar, cashews and nougat. A ribbon of cinnamon spice weaves its way through the mouth. There's a suggestion of sourdough bread and mandarin peel too. Plump and rounded, it has a great mouthfeel as it rolls around joyously. Those fine spices just continue to tap away – there's some serious gravitational pull here for those who enjoy their white wines with a little weight and presence. A no brainer for the money."
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"For many years, this blend has been a byword for great value in affordable, medium-bodied, soft dry white wine. With a very light yellow colour, its bouquet is spicy and layered with almond-like touches. The wine is rounded, rich and slightly grippy on palate with notable tannins and a quite generous, ample and lasting flavour. There’s a tickle of sweetness in perfect balance and an enduring aftertaste and a clean dry finish thanks to the gentle tannins. Top value."
