Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Growing Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Owner/ Winemaker: Peter Robertson

TASTING NOTE:
I have had the pleasure of visiting and enjoying the quality, hand crafted, small parcel wines from Brookfields for over 20 years. Yes I am showing my age. Peter has owned Brookfields since 1977; his winemaking definitely shows the wisdom and maturity that only comes with time. But his wines and the one that was in my glass just a few days ago, this 'unoaked' Chardonnay expression, is ready to be enjoyed now by all wine enthusiasts and over the coming summer months.

The fruit for this Unoaked Chardonnay was harvested from the Ohiti Estate and the vineyard adjacent to the winery (both of which are winery owned). Silty loam makes up the majority of the soil at both sites and seems to suit the grapes and the fresh, forward style that Peter has captured in this bright wine.

Immediately after harvest, the grapes were pressed and the juice was immediately chilled. Following settling and inoculation with carefully selected yeast, fermentation took place at low temperatures in order to retain as much ripe fruit as possible. Then in tank there was limited lees stirring after fermentation.

The glass is filled with bright straw tones. The palate is dominated with ripe melon and pineapple characters. The mid palate is full with a hint of residual sweetness. This enhances the fruit profile and makes the wine most inviting (translated, this means hard to put down). Serve at approx 10-12 degrees.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well now, this coming summer; and into 2010.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with steamed or poached fish, a sprig of parsley and a green salad, enjoy.

Simply refreshing, vibrant and hard to put down.