Terra Sancta Riverblock Central Otago Chardonnay 2022

Description

Apricot, Floral, Spice

"Fruit-focused wine with ginger, apricot, vanilla, oyster shell, floral yeast lees and a toasty, savoury character that is very appealing. Accessible and attractive now with potential to develop well with bottle age" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Dec 2023

Golden straw in colour, a lifted and vibrant nose delivers beguiling floral notes accompanied by summer stone fruits. On the palate the wine is complex and concentrated with flavors of lime curd, ripe peach, yellow nectarine, quince and lemon pepper spice. Riverblock’s hallmark mineral notes and purity of fruit are clearly evident, as is its long, lingering finish. A superb cool climate Chardonnay - bright, joyful and harmonious.

Terra Sancta’s Riverblock Chardonnay planting is a north facing, one hectare block located above the Kawarau River in Bannockburn’s dress circle. Planted in 2005 with three premium clones - (Mendoza, B95, B548), Riverblock sits on soils of alluvial schist and - rare for Central Otago - a seam of limestone. The block is perfect for a cool climate Chardonnay that expresses its unique environment, including the mineral rich soils in which it is planted.

The fruit from our 2022 vintage possesses the qualities Terra Sancta looks for in all our wines - purity and intensity of flavour. Our longest harvest on record, with all fruit handpicked, this was contributed to by the yields and a slow ripening period during April, with the final day of harvest being 13 May 2022.

Hand picked and whole bunch pressed, Riverblock was made in 75% large format French oak puncheons and 25% in barrique, using wild fermentation. In barrel for 10 months in total including a natural four month Spring malolactic fermentation. Minimal battonage. The wine was not fined prior to bottling at Terra Sancta.

Food Pairing: Pan-fried salmon with a pine nut and olive salsa, roast chicken with preserved lemon or a creamy lemon seafood risotto.