Black Cottage Marlborough Chardonnay 2021

Description

• French oak
• Apricot & lemon
• Bread & cashew
• Creamy mouthfeel

"Aromas of white and yellow fleshed stone fruit, some citrus then vanilla cream scents of oak. Creamy, refreshing, fleshy and varietal with flavours of apricot and peach, apple, vanilla and a touch of butterscotch. Balanced and well made, youthful and harmonious. Best drinking from purchase and through 2024" Cameron Dougls, Master Sommelier, Aug 2021

Bright hay in colour, the bouquet has apricot and flinty notes mingled with bread crust and cashew nut flavours. Undertones of fennel, minerals and lemon come together. The palate is savoury and is well-balanced with a lovely creamy mouthfeel.

Crops were down due to early spring frosts and a cold, wet flowering period. Summer was incredibly dry and this lead to an early harvest. The fruit quality was outstanding and wines from the 2021 vintage might just be exceptional. The rare Swiss clone 2/23 chardonnay grapes were sourced from a single vineyard in the Wairau Valley. The wine was fermented on light solids, followed by full malolactic fermentation and aged with French oak.

Food Pairing: Pairs well with fish or cream based dishes.