Region: North Canterbury Grapes: Chardonnay First Glance: Flinty, Toasty, Ripe Citrus, Nutty
The Wine: Old vine Mendoza Chardonnay from Waipara Springs on Omihi clay soils, planted between 1982-1986. Clone 5 and Mendoza Chardonnay sourced from the Three Sisters Vineyard on Mackenzies Rd in Waipara planted between 2001-2002 on Rangitata gravels. Hand-picked and fermented with natural vineyard yeasts and aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 12 months before settling in stainless steel on light lees for a further 4 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Golden lemon hue. Complex reduction, toasty mineral nose with lemon meringue notes. On the palate, ripe stone fruits, hazelnut and grilled almond notes are supported by a complex, mouth-filling structure and classic North Canterbury salinity.
