Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Growing Region: Gisborne, New Zealand

Owners: Kirsten & Richard Searle

TASTING NOTE:
This well crafted Chardonnay continues the well deserved worldwide acclaim for the Gisborne wine region. The premium grapes for this wine were sourced from the highly recognised Briant vineyard. This vineyard is situated between Patutahi and Manutuke, across the Waipaoa River from Matawhero. The silt deposits that overlay the clay base provide ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay. The dominate clone used is 548, a new clone imported from France which is suited to barrel fermentation. The clone is usually early ripening and produces full-bodied, balanced, rich wines with complex aromas.

All of the grapes were machine harvested and brought to the winery where they use a selected yeast strain ideal for barrel fermentation, which was carried out in a mixture of old puncheons and oak barriques until fermented dry. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and stayed on its lees until February. The wine was then stabilised, filtered and bottled.

In the glass you have a light golden colour with a green hue. On the nose you will find ripe melon and fig notes with a hint of oak. The palate is confident, rich and full with stone fruit and peach flavours with integrated layers of toasty oak notes, resulting in a charming and approachable wine, with great length and persistence on the finish. Chill and serve at 8-10C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this summer season; and over the next 2-3 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with roast chicken, pork, lamb cutlets and creamy cheeses, enjoy.

A ripe full flavoured Gisborne Chardonnay.