Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2018

Description

The 2018 vintage is a landmark year in the history of Te Awa as they celebrate the 25th vintage of fine Hawkes Bay single vineyard wines grown on the estate. This wine is a classic expression of Hawkes Bay Chardonnay from a fantastic growing season. On the nose are distinctive notes of citrus blossom, stone fruit and grilled nuts. The mouthfeel is full-bodied, with a slight creaminess offsetting the natural acidity which provides freshness and length to the palate.

The 2018 Te Awa Single Estate Chardonnay is sourced from several of the winemakers best vineyard blocks, located on free-draining gravel soils. Each block has been planted with its own clone to match the varying soil patterns across the vineyard. This blend contains three clones of Chardonnay (Mendoza, B95 and UCD15) which all contribute to the balance and complexity of the final wine. Intensive management during the season resulted in low yielding vines which produced high-quality parcels of fruit.

2018 was an excellent growing season in Hawkes Bay with the Chardonnay grapes picked in optimum condition. The hand-picked grapes made the short trip to the winery and were loaded into the press as whole bunches. After a gentle pressing, the juice was run directly to French oak Hogshead barrels. The barrels were allowed to ferment with the wild yeasts that came in from the vineyard and some underwent a natural malolactic fermentation to soften the palate and add richness to the wine. The young wine then stayed in contact with its yeast lees for 10 months with regular lees stirring, before being blended and prepared for bottling.

Fined using traditional agents. Contains sulphites. Suitable for gluten free diets.