2010 Greywacke Chardonnay

Mostly low-yielding Mendoza clone but also clone 95. Sixty percent of the fruit was sourced from the lower reaches of the Brancott Valley and Fairhall, grown in gravelly, clay-loam soils, the remainder coming from Rapaura, grown in young alluvial soils containing high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones. All vineyards were trained on a two-cane VSP trellis. Vineyards hand-picked separately at high ripeness levels and whole-bunch pressed using very low maceration press cycles. The resulting juice was settled and racked to French oak barriques (25% new). Spontaneous indigenous-yeast fermentation, the final phase continuing for almost 12 months. Occasional lees stirring and full malo. It was transferred out of oak after 15 months and left on yeast lees a further four months. Bottled December 2011. pH 3.18, TA 7.3 g/ l. Lightly toasty, hazelnuts and still a slight hint of struck match. Rich and full in the mouth but has a very direct line of acidity leading to a super-long and tight finish. Mouth-watering aftertaste. Beautifully balanced and so long. Apricot and citrus fruit on the finish. (JH)

Very pungent and reductive. Fine and leesy and crystalline. The acidity counterbalances the alcohol admirably. Though this is not yet subtle. Reverberant. (JR)