"Delightfully expressed and friendly, this appealing chardonnay shows ripe stone fruit, rockmelon, vanilla and toasted almond notes on the nose. The palate is elegantly weighted and rounded, and delivers bright fruit intensity backed by creamy texture and well-pitched acidity, finishing long and smooth. At its best: now to 2019" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Dec 2017

A delicate, pale straw green in the glass with aromas of melon and peach stone, complexed with subtle malolactic fermentation and oak notes, are the signature of this wine. It has a freshness and vibrancy that gives it instant appeal. This wine displays flavours of stone fruit and peach stone with hints of toasty oak complexed with subtle malolactic fermentation characters. The palate has a fullness and creaminess to it which gives it good length while at the same time finishing quite refreshingly dry.

100% of the grpaes sourced for this wine originate from Hawke’s Bay, which for the 2017 vintage saw perfect weather conditions for bringing the Chardonnay fruit to full maturity, while still retaining a good level of natural acidity. The levels of malic acid were higher than normal this year due to higher diurnal temperature fluctuation. These temperature patterns in turn have also resulted in elevated varietal characteristics making the wine that more intense. The fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness and transported quickly to the winery.

Once in the winery it was destemmed only, without crushing, and immediately chilled prior to pressing which has assisted in retaining the maximum fruit flavours. A gentle pressing was followed by cold settling to clarify the juice. The clear juice was then fermented with a selection of Chardonnay yeast and this was followed by a full malolactic fermentation to add complexity to the palate and reduce the natural acidity. Drinking best between 2018/19, will continue to develop for a further 5 years.