Mills Reef Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2020

Description

• French oak
• Yellow stonefuit
• Butterscotch 
• Lingering finish

"Delightfully ripe and attractively composed showing white flesh peach, lemon peel, nougat and roasted hazelnut aromas on the nose, leading to an elegantly rounded palate offering succulent fruit flavours backed by silken texture and well-pitched acidity. Harmonious and comforting with a generous finish" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2021

This excellent Chardonnay is highly appealing, with pronounced yellow stone-fruit, rock melon, nashi pear and ginger spice flavours, finishing with toasty oak and butterscotch notes. Barrel fermentation and aging in quality oak has conferred a lovely creamy weight, length and complexity. Able to be cellared judiciously for 3-4 years.

The grapes for this classical variety were sourced from one of our acclaimed single vineyards, Riverview, overlooking the Ngaruroro River.

The 2019/20 growing season in Hawkes Bay enjoyed a climate of consistently warm, clear, sunny days and uniform temperatures. This weather pattern allowed the grapes to develop perfectly and be harvested slowly at optimal ripeness. Harvesting of the chardonnay grapes took place on the 14th of March with the fruit arriving at the winery in excellent condition.

The juice was barrel fermented with a selection of chardonnay specific yeasts, in French oak barrels (78%) and a small parcel of tank fermentation. Then, the wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation to achieve an integrated buttery texture. Thereafter, each parcel spent ten months in oak (30% new French) with frequent lees stirring for enhanced complexity. The final wine was composed from selected barrels and batches to achieve the desired wine style, before bottling under screwcap on the 16th of March, 2021.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with pan fried fish and a caper butter sauce.