Chardonnay from
New Zealand – Northland & Auckland
17.5-/20Fruit from the ‘Home', ‘Edwards' and ‘Te Ara' vineyards on Waiheke Island, 80% barrel-fermented and 20% in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc., the wine aged in barrel and tank 11 months with lees contact. Bright lemon-straw yellow colour with slight green-gold hues, this has a softly packed and concentrated bouquet of yellow stonefruits and nuts, enhanced by flinty, reductive complexities that intensify in the glass. Dry and medium-bodied, the palate features complex nutty, flinty flavours interwoven with nectarine fruit notes and well-balanced, subtle oaking. Though a little restrained and compact in expression on mid-palate, this has good density, depth and presence, and the mouthfeel is fresh and lively. The wine blossoms on the finish revealing layers of nuts and flint. This medium-bodied, modern-styled Chardonnay has complexity and is readily accessible. Match with grilled or roasted seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 3-4+ years. 17.5-/20 Feb 2012 RRP $39.99