OTU Estate Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2024

Description

Almond, Oak, Peach

"This is immediately appealing on the nose with summer peach, rockmelon, nougat, and roasted cashew aromas. The palate displays succulent fruit flavours with fleshy texture and finely infused acidity, making it elegantly flavoursome and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2025

Elegant and generous Hawkes Bay Chardonnay. Fresh green apple and stonefruit, soft quince and juicy citrus flavours complement a lemon edge and subtle toasted almond. Immediately appealing on the nose with summer peach, rockmelon, nougat, and roasted almond aromas. Overall, stone fruit dominate with an almond and brioche finish.

The 2024 season started with a cooler spring resulting in lower yields but leading to wines with excellent fruit concentration. A warm summer paired with cool nights towards the end of the ripening period, allowed for complex fruit flavours to develop as well as retaining freshness.

Fruit harvested from vineyards in the coastal Ngtarawa growing area has been gently pressed, and then clarified juice was fermented in both stainless tanks, and large 500L French oak barrels (puncheons) for subtle oak character and complexity. Overall time in barrel for this portion was 10 months to further give weight and subtle toasted almond and brioche richness.

70% of the blend went through malolactic fermentation, which provides a discerning softness and texture, as well as development of secondary aromas and flavours. Extended time on lees also helped to build palate weight and complexity to enhance the fresh fruit characters.

Produced from a selection of clones including Mendoza, Clones 15 and 6, has resulted in a delightful array of flavours – from ripe lemon and green apple and crisp stonefruit to toasted almond and spice.