Lake Road Gisborne Chardonnay 2022

Description

• French oak
• Nectarine & baked apple
• Butterscotch & vanilla
• Creamy & juicy

"Ripe, fruity, varietal and enticing bouquet with aromas of buttered peach and baked apple, fresh and roasted cashew nut, burnt butter, nectarine and barrel spices. Near full-bodied as the wine touches the palate, flavours mirror the bouquet with medium acidity, a satin cream mouthfeel and fine tannins. Well made, dry and ready for drinking from 2023 through 2028" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Nov 2023

"Beautifully fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows ripe stone fruit, rockmelon, vanilla and roasted hazelnut aromas. The palate displays lovely weight and rounded mouthfeel, splendidly supported by creamy texture and juicy acidity, making it flavoursome and immediately appealing" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Aug 2023

"Bright, pale straw-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full with a lovely richness of butterscotch, popcorn, roasted hazelnut, flint underlying stonefruit and orchard fruit. Medium-full-bodied aromas of apple and nectarine melded with butterscotch, popcorn, roasted hazelnut and a hint of the flinty element. The toasty expression flows with fresh acidity on a creamy, rich mouthfeel" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Dec 2023

A lovely pale straw gold, boasting an aromatic profile of white florals, sweetcorn, stonefruit, and honeydew melon. A hint of lees influence and subtle French oak adds depth. Medium to fullbodied, with a glorious texture, weight, and length, culminating in a delightful creamy finish. Ready to drink now, it will improve with careful, cool cellaring.

The 2022 vintage arrived early in Gisborne, marked by a warm summer and consistent rainfall, creating optimal ripening conditions. Our Reserve Chardonnay is crafted from a meticulously managed single parcel of fruit from back Ormond Road, which excelled during this season. The entire wine underwent barrel fermentation, followed by a complex malolactic fermentation. After this process, the wine rested in barrels until preparation for bottling. To enhance body and richness, 25% new French oak was incorporated.

Food Pairing: Ideal with seafood, chicken, or pork.