Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2016

Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay, New Zealand, 2016 

Grape: 100% Chardonnay. Natural yeast fermentation in French oak barriques (20% new). Barrel aged for 18 months with lees stirring and full malolactic.

An enticing combination of pink grapefruit, burnt orange and white nectarine mingles with more savoury aromas of smoked almonds, hazelnut meringue and the heady fragrance of freshly cut hay. The mealy savouriness carries through onto a rich, textural palate, evidence of this wine’s low-intervention winemaking. An intricate bone-dry style that is highly concentrated with a distinct flintiness, tight structure and crisp citrussy finish.

The grapes for this wine are primarily the low-yielding Mendoza clone, known for its concentration of flavour and crisp acidity; the balance is Clone 95. The majority of fruit was sourced from the lower reaches of the Brancott Valley and Fairhall, with the remainder coming from Renwick and Rapaura, grown in young alluvial soils containing high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones.

"Struck flint and hints of sweet corn and toasted grain accent white peaches and ripe pineapple on the nose of the 2016 Chardonnay. It's medium to full-bodied but comes across as fresh and lively, with a crisp, mouth-watering finish."

Rated 92/100 points. Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, March 2019.

"Smoky and mysterious, wet stone and gun flint, white peach, sweet lemon...fine fine tannin texture...loads of charm. A delicious wine."

Rated 96/100 points, Cameron Douglas MS