Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2019

Description

• French oak
• Citrus blossom
• Stone fruit
• Grilled nuts

The Te Awa vineyard has been producing fine Chardonnay for over 25 years and the 2019 vintage is another stellar example of Hawkes Bay Chardonnay. 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.

Sourced from several of the winemakers best vineyard blocks on free-draining gravel soils, each block has been planted with its own clone to match varying soil patterns across the vineyard. This blend contains three clones of Chardonnay which contribute to balance and complexity. Intensive management during the season resulted in low yielding vines which produced high-quality parcels of fruit.

2019 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 (35% new). 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.