Region: Marlborough, NZ Grapes: Chardonnay First Glance: Toasty, Orchid + Stone Fruits, Nutty
The Wine: This is absolutely outstanding and superb value. The fruit was sourced from a sustainably farmed, grower vineyard in the Omaka sub-region of Marlborough. Hand-harvested into small bins and then whole bunch pressed. Indigenous yeast fermentation; 75% went into two and three year old French oak barrels and the balance to a stainless steel barrel. Full malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees for six to eight months without stirring. Racked to tank in December 2018 and allowed to settle prior to bottling, unfined and unfiltered, in February 2019.
A rather hedonistic nose suggests ripe pears, fresh peach and oatmeal while the palate is taught and chalky with nectarine, pear and iodine notes and a driven freshness. Unmistakably Marlborough for its cleansing hit of salty goodness, this is harmonious, balanced and dry. Like we said, outstanding value and a wine that again breaks the mould.
