Millton Opou Gisborne Chardonnay 2023

Description

Floral, Oak, Oatmeal

There is an immediate eye appeal which is shining and the floral aromas of orange and white blossom together with honeyed notes and nutty acorns which lead into a clean fresh yet soft complexity. It smells like yellow and tastes like the words from AA Milne. 

100% barrel fermented. The acidity is clipped yet complex while still having a salinity. The tannin is tempered with a character of acorn and oat cake biscuit which give a breadth to the mouth feel. With time in the glass the taste progresses towards a long and rounded texture clipped by cleansing acidity and framed by silken tannins. The mouth flavours have not been altered with any additional fining from animal products, so it is an honest expression from our place. Unfined. Contains no animal products.

Opou Vineyard was first planted in 1969 with a mixture of Chardonnay selections. The soil type is complex clay loam over river derived silts giving wines of aroma and texture. The grapes were hand harvested and pressed directly to small French Oak barrels. 8% of these barrels were new. Fermentation starts naturally and continues for 3 weeks rising in temperature to about 23C. Some barrels have a secondary malolactic fermentation to soften the palate and increase texture. After 14 months the wine is then assembled in stainless steel tanks to rest before being bottled on the property.