Luna Estate Martinborough Chardonnay 2024

Description

Apricot, Oak, Vanilla

Bright and clear in the glass with a pale golden hue. The nose opens with fresh aromas of green melon and juicy white-fleshed stonefruit, lifted by soft white and yellow floral notes. A gentle touch of oak adds subtle hints of malt, nuttiness and a light brioche character without overpowering the fruit. Fresh and lively to taste, showing the cool-climate Martinborough style with crisp stonefruit flavours and a clean mineral edge. The texture is nicely rounded with ripe fruit giving a smooth feel through the middle, while a lemon-sorbet-like acidity keeps everything bright and balanced.

Crafted using 100% estate grown fruit harvested from our Eclipse and Blue rock vineyards.

What a rollercoaster vintage! After the challenges of 2022 and 2023, there was, understandably, nervous anticipation across the region for 2024. Early budburst left the vineyards vulnerable to spring frosts, and those concerns proved justified. Multiple frost events through September and October culminated in one that overwhelmed the frost fans, causing widespread crop loss. Not the start anyone wanted.

Just as the vines recovered and began flowering in early-mid November, a cold southerly system arrived with rain and wind, persisting through the crucial flowering period. The entire region was affected - marking three consecutive years of minimal crops for many growers.

While challenging, smaller crops do promise intensely flavoured wines. Summer brought welcome El Niño conditions—hot and dry—a stark contrast to three La Niña years. The small crop ripened beautifully under these conditions, setting up for some exceptional wines.

Then came the grassfire when a harvester in the neighbouring hay paddock struck a powerline. The blaze spread quickly to Eclipse Vineyard, but your community and volunteer firefighters rallied brilliantly, containing it before major damage occurred. A powerful reminder of what communities can achieve together. Despite another challenging season, vintage 2024 should yield some mighty wines.

Food Pairing: Lemon and herb roasted chicken.