Cable Bay Reserve Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2019

Description

• French oak
• Grapefruit & nectarine
• White florals
• Mineral acidity

The winemakers wine of the vintage. From grapes grown on naturally low yielding, 22 year old vines, this wine has tension and complexity, with struck flint, grapefruit, nectarine, and white floral aromatics complementing a focused palate. Fine phenolic texture and minerally acidity add depth and length respectively. It has incredibly good length and drive, defined by the salinity from the ocean. The oak is well integrated and elegant, while supporting the structure of the wine. This wine has real presence, and is built to age.

This wine is from predominantly UCD 15 clone Chardonnay vines grown on a single vineyard site in our estate owned Waiheke Island vineyard. We are located on the sun-drenched, western side of the island, facing Rangitoto Volcano. Winemakers have predominantly mineralised clay soils over Jurassic era rock. Typically, this type of geology and soil will provide wines with great mid-palate weight and minerality. The viticulture is meticulous, with the aim of balanced, heathy vines, which bear beautifully ripe grapes with intense concentration of natural Chardonnay characteristics. Harvesting perfect fruit is our first priority.

The Reserve wines are only made in the very best of vintages, and in limited quantities. The ripe fruit was hand-harvested early in the morning whilst the grapes were nice and cool, transported across the road to the winery, and immediately whole bunch pressed. It was then pressed directly to a puncheon, leaving textural Chardonnay juice to enter wild yeast fermentation. No malolactic fermentation on this wine, to preserve the natural acidity of our warmer sub-tropical climate. Following barrel ferment, the wine aged in oak (10% new) on full lees for 17 months before assemblage and bottling.

Cable Bay Vineyards is dedicated to crafting exquisite wines known for their subtlety, elegance and depth. Taking an Old World approach and combining it with New World techniques, Cable Bay’s opulent wines are a stylish reflection of the land where they began. All of Cable Bay’s vineyards are accredited with SWNZ (Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand).