Wild Earth Central Otago Chardonnay 2018

Wild Earth Central Otago Chardonnay 2018French oak Hazelnut Vanilla & brioche Creamy mouthfeel "Gorgeously fruited and instantly appealing, the bouquet shows ripe peach, rockmelon, vanilla, cedar and brioche characters. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent fruit weight and intensity, wonderfully supported by creamy mouthfeel and well balanced acidity. Flavoursome and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2023" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2019 "Soft, light, delicate chardonnay with

• French oak
• Hazelnut
• Vanilla & brioche
• Creamy mouthfeel

"Gorgeously fruited and instantly appealing, the bouquet shows ripe peach, rockmelon, vanilla, cedar and brioche characters. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent fruit weight and intensity, wonderfully supported by creamy mouthfeel and well-balanced acidity. Flavoursome and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2023" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2019

"Soft, light, delicate chardonnay with subtle toast, hazelnut, stone fruit, nectarine, spice and anise flavours supported by an ethereal texture. An accessible wine that is a pleasure to drink now" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Mar 2019

"Toasty, fruity and ripe with aromas of vanilla and smoky oak, yellow stone fruits, some popcorn and nutty burnt butter scents. Gentle creamy texture precede flavors of oak and stone fruit. Contrasting acidity, fine wood tannins, lovely core of flavour and finish. Drink now and through 2023" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

"This extroverted but ageworthy wine was grown at Pisa and Bendigo - districts of the Cromwell Basin – and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak casks (15% new). Fragrant and full-bodied, it has strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, slightly toasty and creamy notes adding complexity, and fresh acidity. Already highly approachable, it should be at its best 2021+" Winestate Magazine

This elegant cool climate Chardonnay is exquisitely detailed with great length and a mineral finish. The 2018 vintage shows beautiful flinty notes with bright citrus and crunchy stone fruit on the nose. The palate is long and fine with layers of citrus and a hint of positive lees influence complimented by freshness from the apt acidity. While the new oak has minimal influence on the palate it contributes greatly to the wine’s extra-long finish. A fantastic wine to drink on its own but also great with fish, seafood and cuisine with lots of zest!

The Chardonnay grapes come from two sites in the Cromwell basin: a slightly elevated site in Pisa that retains great acidity and a prestigious vineyard in Bendigo. The 2017-18 growing season was the hottest on record overall with November and January breaking records for heat and an unusual amount of days over 30 degrees Celsius in Summer. February was the wettest on record which helped in a positive way to slow down the onset of harvest although it was still a month early and very compact. These Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested over three distinct picks between the 10th-15th March. The dry harvest period kept the grapes disease free and in great balance.

The wine was fermented with wild yeasts on full solids which adds both richness and complexity to the wine. Each vineyard included just one new barrel (15% new oak) from the premium Troncais forest in France; the rest was fermented in older French oak. Minimal stirring and full malolactic fermentation gives the wine a balance of creamy texture and great drive.