Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 (c/c)

Description

"A bouquet showing complexity, ripeness of fruit and enticement from oak, lees and a flinty mineral-like layer from clever winemaking. Dry on the palate with a great texture once again from attention to detail using lees and oak, fluffy solids and ripe fruit. Flavours of fuzzy white peach, apple and lemon. Well placed use of oak, vibrant texture, feshness and a lengthy finish equal a well made and enticing example. Drink now and through 2024" Cameron Douglas

This Chardonnay is fruit driven. The nose is bright with freshly cut nectarines and stone fruit, hazelnut and fresh brioche. These aromas are supported with complex flint and subtle oak character. The palate is focused, bright and linear with great depth of character and mouth watering acidity.

Just as the three Giesen brothers journey brought them to New Zealand, todays Giesen winemakers travel to great lengths to find the best of every vintage from Marlborough and other leading wine regions, crafting these Reserve wines for you to enjoy. Always striving to ensure 'The Brothers' wines are rich and rewarding while retaining elegance and purity.

The 2016 vintage was a relatively cool and windy season, ensuring the vines did not naturally over crop. Fruit looked excellent on harvest however Giesen decided to pick before any rain, leading to bright fresh flavours and a slightly lower than average alcohol percentage.

The fruit was picked then immediately pressed at the winery. Juice then settled overnight before being racked to tank and having yeast added ahead of transfer to oak barrels. It was fermented then matured in predominately French oak hogsheads and puncheons and 1000L German oak Fuder barrels for 10 months. Oak age was 42% one year old, 8% two year old and 40% three year old with the balance older. This selection was to ensure the wine had subtle oak character which allowed the fruit to shine. The wine was fined and filtered for bottling.