Abbey Estate 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and Eden Syrah

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 27-Aug-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with light golden hues and some depth. This has a soft and gently packed and voluminous nose of ripe yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits, unfolding mealy notes with a little creamy and nutty oak, subtle oxidative complexities, all harmoniously melded with suggestions of lemon-curd and buttery MLF notes. A little smokiness shows and the nose builds in depth with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate has rich, bright fruit flavours of ripe citrus fruits and yellow stonefruits interwoven with creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak, along with complexing mealy and oxidative notes with some buttery MLF. The mouthfeel is rounded and filling, blossoming in breadth. The fruit is underlined by light phenolic textures, but enlivened by fresh, brisk acidity, and the wine carries to a strong, lingering zesty, textural finish. This is a rich, fulsome Chardonnay with ripe citrus and stonefruit flavours with complex mealy, nutty and oaky detail on a lively, textured palate. Match this traditional styled Chardonnay with roast pork over the next 4+ years. Mendoza clone fruit, vines 8 y.o., predominantly indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 20% new puncheons, and seasoned barriques, undergoing batonnage and 20% MLF. 18.5-/20 Aug 2017 RRP $25.00
• Abbey Estate ‘Eden’ Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 27-Aug-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full with deep aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with layers of black pepper, liquorice and Asian spices, unfolding violet florals with nutty, earthy and inky, black mineral notes. Medium-full bodied, the palate is gently rich with stylishly restrained flavours of ripe blackberries and dark raspberries entwined with notes of black and a hint of white pepper, Asian spices and dark florals, revealing mineral elements. The fruit is supported by grainy tannin extraction and structure with subtle acid energy. The wine carries with good richness and energy to a soft, black-fruited, aromatic, spicy finish. This is a gently rich and flavoursome Syrah with black fruits, Asian spices, black pepper and minerals on a grainy textured palate. Match with game meat dishes over the next 6-8 years. Clones MS, 174 and 470, vines 8 y.o., fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 2 years in 10% new oak. 18.0/20 Aug 2017 RRP $25.00