Theory & Practice and Craft Farm 2015 Chardonnay

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Theory & Practice Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 14-Apr-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light golden-hued yellow colour with lemon-green on the rim. The nose is gently voluminous with soft and harmoniously concentrated aromas of white and yellow stonefruits, citrus fruits and subtle, complexing nutty oak and flinty layers, unfolding lemon curd and butterscotch MLF elements with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the fruit flavours of yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits are entwined with nutty oak, along with lemon-curd and buttery elements, revealing creamy and toasty oak. The palate is lively and fresh with crisp acidity, and has an underlying, fine-textured line which balances the fruit sweetness. The wine carries with good richness to a fine, dry, lingering finish with toasty elements. This is a bright, lively, sweet and rich-fruited Chardonnay with creamy, buttery and toasty notes and fine textures. Match with creamy-sauced white meat dishes over the next 4+ years. Clones Mendoza, 15, 95 and 809 from the ‘Craft Farm’ and ‘Askerne’ vineyards, hand-picked and WBP, barrel-fermented, partially with indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 28% new French oak, with 100% MLF. 18.0+/20 Apr 2016 RRP $25.00
• Craft Farm ‘Home Vineyard’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 14-Apr-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, light golden-hued yellow colour with green on the edge. This has a full, broad and powerfully concentrated nose with layers of white and yellow stonefruits entwined with complex, flinty, reductive elements and smoky oak. The aromas grow in depth and richness unfolding nutty and citrus notes. Medium-bodied and finely proportioned, the palate has a deep and well-packed core of white and yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits melded with fine, flinty lees and reductive detail. This has a subtle richness and lusciousness. The mouthfeel is refined and balanced with integrated acidity lending energy and vitality, revealing nutty and smoky oak layers. The wine follows the firm core and line to a lingering finish with refined, dry phenolic textures and stonefruit and flinty nuances. This is a complex, concentrated Chardonnay with stonefruit and flinty complexities and a deep core and line. Match with seafood, poultry, pork and veal over the next 4-5 years. Clone 15 and 809 fruit from the ‘Craft Farm’ vineyard, hand-picked and WBP, and indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 9 months on lees in 30% new French oak with 100% MLF. 18.5+/20 Apr 2016 RRP $40.00 Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues. The nose is fine in presentation with good intensity and depth of savoury stonefruits melded with mealy and flinty elements, unfolding nutty oak. This is still youthful and tightly bound. Elegant and with refinement on the palate, the flavours of white stonefruits, mealy and nutty oak, and complexing flinty notes show with sweetness and liveliness. Fresh acidity and some alcoholic power underline the fruit. Savoury smoke and musky nuances add funkiness, and the wine carries with plenty of energy to the finish. Clones 15 and 809 from the home ‘Craft Farm’ vineyard, fully barrel-fermented by indigenous yeasts to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 9 months in 30% new oak on lees with 100% MLF. 1,200 bottles made. 18.0+/20 Mar 2016 RRP $40.00