Tohu Gisborne Chardonnay 2019

Description

• Spicy French oak
• Ripe peach
• Creamy butterscotch
• Juicy citrus

This Gisborne Chardonnay displays vibrant aromas of stonefruit and tropical fruits complemented with subtle hints of creamy butterscotch and toasted hazelnut. Medium bodied and elegantly textured on the palate, this luscious wine is perfectly balanced with notes of juicy citrus, ripe Summer peach and a harmonious touch of spicy French oak.

Tohu Wines have a long association with grape growing in the Gisborne area, which is renowned as one of New Zealand’s premium Chardonnay producing regions. Protected by mountain ranges to both the north and north west of the region, Gisborne’s climate is known for its generally warm and dry conditions. The 2019 harvest in Gisborne was no exception and was characterised by one of the warmest Summers ever recorded in the region. The long and hot ripening period lead to bright clean fruit and optimum favours at harvest.

Premium parcels of Chardonnay grapes were transported to the winery where they were gently pressed using a modern membrane press. After pressing the resulting juice was moved into stainless steel tanks and onto seasoned French oak for fermentation with purposely selected yeasts. After the primary yeast fermentation was complete the wine underwent full secondary malolactic fermentation on yeast lees, allowing richness and weight to develop. After a short period of lees stirring the wine was left to settle before being fined and filtered, ready for bottling in mid-December 2019.