Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2024

Description

Oak, Peach, Spice

Classically Hawkes Bay in style, this Chardonnay reveals a fragrant nose of sweet lemon and peach, with aromas of grilled nuts from subtle French oak. A rich yet supple texture unfolds in the mouth with layers of fruit, delicate oak spice and a creamy palate finishing with succulent acidity.

The 2024 Hawke's Bay vintage was excellent with the Chardonnay fruit being harvested in perfect condition in late February and early March. The warm summer growing season gave us full-flavoured Chardonnay with refreshing natural acidity.

Fruit from several prestigious Chardonnay vineyards throughout Hawkes Bay feature in this wine. Once harvested and pressed the resulting juice was fermented in a mixture of Oak barriques and tank with a combination of inoculated and wild yeast. Malolactic fermentation has added weight to the mid palate. Maturation on full yeast lees with regular stirring followed in barrel and tank prior to the wine being blended and bottled.

Food Pairing: A classic match with most white meats, rich seafood dishes, cheese and salads. Also highly enjoyable on its own.