Čuvar Iris Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2022

Description

Oak, Passionfruit, Spice

With his inspiring energy and lifelong dedication to pioneering progression in the wine industry, Čuvar is the vision of legendary wine entrepreneur, Sir George Fistonich. Sir George founded Čuvar Winery to help preserve and nurture the essence of New Zealand fine wine.

"Familiar scents and flavours of peaches and cream with a clay and lees touches, some vanilla and wood smoke from a lick of oak. On the palate the wine touches with a satin-cream mouthfeel then acidity and some fine tannins add breadth, texture and length. Fruit flavours are persistent with a citrus peel touch, balanced and well made, ready to drink from day of purchase through 2026" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jan 2024

A forthright bouquet introducing bursts of candied tropical fruits intertwined with notes reminiscent of warm fruit crumble. Gentle oak wraps around the palate of balanced acid and ripe fruit – this Chardonnay is a crowd pleaser where nothing is too dominant with the fruit, oak, acid and flavours all sing in harmony.

In 1986 George Fistonich gently carved out the terraced vineyard that follows the natural contours of a hillside basked in sunlight, with arguably one of the best views in Hawke’s Bay looking out to the Pacific Ocean.

2022 was a complicated vintage that saw our winemakers and viticulturists work closely with each other. Drawing on their collective expertise they watched the weather forecasts, continuously throughout the day to ensure picking scheduling was exact, maximising the sun for as long as possible. We hand picked our Čuvar Terrace Chardonnay in two parcels to best capture the flavour and acid profiles this vineyard creates.

30% tank fermented then moved to barrel 100% barrel matured.

Food Pairing: Our Iris Chardonnay goes beautifully with caramelised savoury dishes. We are particularly fond of glazed salmon, roast beetroot and goats cheese salad and manuka smoked chicken on freekeh.