Mystery Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2020 (01)

Description

• Smokey oak
• Melon & peach
• Butterscotch
• Smooth, dry finish

"Beautifully ripe and inviting, the bouquet shows apricot, rockmelon, vanilla and roasted hazelnut characters, leading to a rounded palate that's succulent and creamy. Flavoursome and  immediately appealing with ripe fruit flavours and elegant complexity. At its best: now to 2024" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 2021

A classic expression of ripe complex Hawkes Bay chardonnay bursting with lifted aromas of lemon, melon and peach supported by butterscotch and smoky oak. The palate is concentrated and fresh with a creamy texture and smooth dry finish.

This chardonnay is a mix of clones Mendoza and Fifteen, from the Bridge Pa and Crownthorpe districts in Hawke’s Bay. Free draining stony gravels are the pre-dominant soil structure in this area. The crop was kept low and well exposed to ensure even ripening and optimal flavour development.

This Chardonnay was fermented with a range of yeasts, in both barrels and stainless steel tanks. Once fermentation was completed, the wine was left for an extended period on yeast lees, with a portion undergoing malolactic fermentation. This has helped to promote textural qualities and mouth feel. This wine exhibits stonefruit and ripe citrus flavours with a rich, buttery texture.

Food Pairing: Delicious on its own this Chardonnay is a superb match with a wide range of foods including barbecued salmon fillets, pan fried flounder in garlic butter, roast chicken stuffed with lemon and thyme, and camembert cheese on water crackers. Ready to drink now, or cellar until 2023.