Greenhough Road Block Nelson Chardonnay 2022

Description

Oak, Spice, Vanilla

Struck match complexity on the nose with ripe citrus and yellow-fruits defining a fleshy, succulent palate that has a Chablis-like freshness and hint of oyster-shell flint. Fruit concentration is the basis of this wine with oak, malolactic ferment and yeast characters all adding richness and background support.

Fruit harvested from separate road-side blocks on the Morison and Home Vineyards in Hope. A mid-weight, fruit-forward style with a lick of vanilla cream and spice aromas derived from fermentation and extended lees contact in French oak.

Grown in our organically certified vineyards located on an elevated inland terrace of the Waimea Plains beneath the foothills of the Richmond Ranges. This ancient alluvial terrace of clay-rich loam and river stones over deep gravels is free draining and warm.

Hand harvested 17-19 March 2021 with moderate sugar levels of 22 brix (average) and acidity range (8.55-10.0 g/l). Gently pressed, briefly settled and transferred to oak barriques of various ages for wild fermentation. Maturation for 10 months in barrel where natural MLF completed in spring. Bottled February 2022. An excellent Chardonnay vintage.