Fruit from the Patutahi and Manutuke regions, partially
barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 6 months in French oak barriques,
a small percentage new. Full, moderately
deep straw-yellow colour with some green-golden hues, pale on rim. The nose is softly full with good volume and
presence, showing ripe yellow stonefruit aromas and nuances of tropical fruits,
along with youthful lifted esters.
Yellow floral, creamy MLF and nutty oak detail emerges to add interest. Medium-bodied, soft and full flavours of ripe
stonefruits are enriched by butter, cream and nutty notes, and lifted by
esters. The mouthfeel is rounded and
smooth flowing, near unctuous, guided by a nutty core, and the flavours carry
to a light, openly accessible, easy finish.
This is a soft, gently ripe, stonefruit and creamy-flavoured
Chardonnay. It will develop over the
next 3+ years. Serve with poultry and
pork. 17.0+/20 Jul 2014 RP $17.00
Full straw-yellow colour with slight lemon-green hues. This has a softly full nose with gently
lifted aromatics of fermentation esters, stonefruits and tropical fruits, along
with subtle barrel notes, the bouquet positive in presentation with depth. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate
features flavours of stonefruits and tropical fruits along with a sweet, yeast
esters lift. The mouthfeel is smooth
with a little creamy barrel-ferment adding to the flow, and there is good
vinosity. The flavours are clean, subtle
and flow easily to a light, soft, moderately long finish. This is a subtle, soft-textured Chardonnay
with aromatic fruitiness. Serve with
white meat dishes over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from Patutahi and Manutuke, fermented in
stainless-steel and barrels, of which a small portion was new to 13.5%
alc. The wine was aged 6 months in tank
and French oak barriques with batonnage.
17.0/20 Mar 2014 RRP $17.00