2006

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Mills Reef Winery Producers of distinctive wines

 

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Elspeth Chardonnay 2006

Vintage:        2006

Variety:         Chardonnay

Area:             Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay

Winemaker:    Tim Preston & Paddy Preston

Alcohol:          14% 

Tasting Note:

This fine single vineyard Chardonnay was produced from grapes handpicked from our Mere Road vineyard, in the renowned Gimblett Gravels of Hawkes Bay.  It was barrel fermented in 50% new and 50% 1 year old quality French oak barriques, with thirty percent of the wine later undergoing malolactic fermentation.  The wine was then aged for 10 months in oak, with frequent lees stirring for enhanced complexity.  Bottling followed on 14 March 2007.

This powerful, opulent, refined Chardonnay is fragrant and mouthfilling, with a rich creamy texture laden with concentrated melon, peach, pear and butterscotch flavours and toasty spicy oak seasoning.  The finish is long, rich, soft and dry.  Delicious in its youth, it will flourish with cellaring.

Ideal food matches include fish, smoked foods and poultry garnished with rich sauces.