Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Growing Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Chief Winemaker: Simon Nunns

TASTING NOTE:
The fruit selected for this wine was hand harvested from their single vineyard site on Middle Road in Havelock North. This vineyard is a well sheltered site, located on a north facing slope with the vines being dry-grown in Taupo pumice sand, along with peat and limestone.

The ripe fruit bunches were chilled and then trucked up to Auckland for whole bunch pressing. Fermentation, malolactic-fermentation and aging all occurred in French oak barriques with approximately 25% being new wood. The wine stayed in barrel, on its gross lees for approximately 10 months, and then prepared for bottling in March and April of 2014.

This wine has only recently been released, so you will see a pale gold colour in your glass, as it ages - it will develop warm gold tints with time in the bottle. On the nose this wine has a combination of grapefruit and ripe pip-fruit characters, interwoven with hints of oak and yeasty notes. On the palate this wine has harmony and balance - these are two of the hallmarks that Simon is renowned for in this style of reserve Chardonnay. This wine has an approachability, though with its firm structure, incredible complex stone-fruit flavours and full mouth-feel that lingers on. These attributes enable this wine to pair and compliment a wide array of richly flavoured cuisine. This full flavoured wine with well-balanced natural acidity and a touch of residual sugar giving a pleasing finish. Chill and serve at 10-12C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Approachable this coming season; and will develop well for another 3-4 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine pairing with a rich seafood chowder, roast seasoned chicken, turkey and pork with seasonal vegetables, enjoy.

A quality well balanced Hawke's Bay Chardonnay.