Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin White 2020

With a name like Avondale Jonty’s Ducks Pekin White, you just know there is going to be a lot to explain. So let me start by saying this wine is utterly scrumptious:

A staggering and complex array of aromas leap from the glass – mango, nectarine, peach marmalade and roasted pineapple, all underpinned with rose petals, quince, white peach and pear, along with a crushed granite minerality. As bountiful as the best from Condrieu, yet as precise as a Hermitage blanc, this wine’s layered depth is fascinating to explore, likely to leave you pondering just where the whole bottle went.  But linger, let its power unfurl in your glass, and you will be greatly rewarded.

And hey … if that description is a bit too florid for you, know that it received 95 points, so other people (who aren’t trying to actively sell it to you) also thought it was pretty darn good! Now the explainer:

Avondale and “Jonty” are pretty easy. Avondale is the winery, where their ethos is Terra Est Vita, meaning soil is life. Lots of wineries say that, but this winery puts it into action. They are certified organic, practicing bio-dynamic based on 21st century science, sustainable farming, low-sulfur usage and all-natural yeast. Jonty is the winery owner  Jonathan Grieve's nickname. 

Which brings us to the Ducks. Apparently, in some climates, like Paarl, South Africa, snails can thrive in vineyards. In fact, they thrive so much that if left unchecked, they will eat up the entire vineyard. The solution for many wineries is a chemical product called snail-bait. But, if your motto is Terra Est Vita, you aren’t going to use snail bait. The solution? The Chinese-American Pekin Duck. 

First domesticated thousands of years ago in China, the “Pekin” duck was imported from Beijing into the United States in 1873, hence its name. From there, it has been bred for various uses around the world, mostly for cuisine. But here, they serve an all-natural, pure-bred function, that of fluffy, waddling killing machines. As Jonty notes, “a bit like a Frenchman, they love their snails.” The ducks become a simple, nature-bound solution that leads to happy duck lives, fertile soils, and great drinking wine. Gesondheid! 

Critical acclaim:

“95 points. 

“Greg Sherwood MW: Plush with seductive notes of pineapple puree, tart yellow plum, yellow orchard fruits and a focused, sweet-sour intensity on the long, pure finish. Impressive. Beverley Blanning MW: A Rhônesque feel, lots of peaches and apricots, savoury character. Silkily textured, glossy fruit and lowerthanusual acidity. A creamy richness from the partner grapes. Roger Jones: Fresh, opulent perfume, floral notes and wild herbs. Racy, focused citrus essence balancing ripe nectarine, pear and delicate brioche. Great blend.” - Decanter