Martinborough Vineyard

AWARDS

92pts, James Suckling Wine Review 2024

Quite lean and mineral, showing aromas of lemon peel, macadamia nuts, apple skin and Asian pears. The medium-bodied palate has a generous texture and bright acidity. Well-balanced with high tension, reflective of the cool and wet harvest. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96pts/5star Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

THE SEASON

Wet, overcast weather pervaded much of the growing season. While we didn’t receive the worst of the weather like other areas of the North Island of New Zealand, we were still peppered with rain throughout the season. Lots of hard work in the vineyard tending to excessive canopy growth was needed to see us through a challenging season. It’s the difficult vintages that reveal great winemaking teams and our Chardonnay is highlighted by its freshness, drive and elegance.

VINEYARD BLOCKS

Our Chardonnay vines are some of our oldest plantings on the Martinborough Terrace. The region has a cool, maritime climate, low annual rainfall, windy springs and a long warm ripening period through autumn. All this results in a naturally low-vigour site which regulates crops ensuring consistently ripe, high quality grapes are harvested

VINIFICATION

The fruit was carefully sorted in the vineyard during hand harvesting and then whole-bunch pressed. The juice was left to settle for two hours before being racked to French oak barrels for fermentation. Only indigenous yeasts were used in the fermentation process. The oak was carefully chosen for elegance to complement the fine structure of the wine. Aged in barrels on lees for twelve months (20% new) this wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation and light wintertime lees stirring before bottling.

TASTING NOTE

Aromas of ripe stone fruit, lemon pith, brioche and subtle vanilla oak introduce this Chardonnay. The palate is framed by stone fruit, fine acidity and a concentrated palate. Beautifully balanced yet complex with toasty buttery notes in the background and a long salivating finish.