Tohu Wairau Valley Marlborough Unoaked Chardonnay 2020

Description

• Unoaked 
• Tropical fruit
• Bright Citrus 
• Butterscotch 

Untouched by oak, this richly textured Marlborough Chardonnay displays aromas of ripe nectarine, melon and bright citrus underpinned by complex nutty butterscotch gained from both extended time on lees and malolactic fermentation. On the palate fresh flavours of peach and tropical fruit are balanced with subtle creaminess and great length, leading to a smooth and focused finish.

The grapes for this wine were sourced solely from the Rothay vineyard located in the Marlborough’s Rapaura sub-region of the Wairau Valley. Trained using a spilt-canopy trellising system, the vines were managed throughout the growing season with practices including shoot thinning, trimming and leaf plucking, allowing for an open canopy and bright, clean fruit. The 2019/2020 growing season started with warm temperatures and above average rainfall leading to early flowering and a good fruit set. Temperatures over the summer were above average, with minimal rain falling from mid-December until well after harvest. March provided warm sunny days and cool clear nights allowing perfect harvest conditions.

Machine harvested and fully fermented and aged in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, this wine has been created to allow the fresh complexities of the fruit to shine through without the need for any oak influence. After harvesting the grapes for this wine were transported a short distance to the winery before being gently pressed. Cold settled over 48 hours, the resulting clear juice was racked into tanks for inoculation with yeast carefully selected to retain fruit purity. After fermentation at reasonably coolish temperatures, the wine then underwent secondary malo-lactic fermentation before being aged in tank. Lees stirring was employed to build texture and complexity while still retaining fruit freshness, before being filtered and bottled in mid-January without the need for any fining.

Food Pairing: Match with light fish dishes or roast chicken & rosemary herbed potatoes.