SOUTHERN VALLEYS

The soils of the Southern Valleys subregion naturally restrict vine vigour. This sub-region sits inland, away from the Marlborough coast, with cool evening temperatures during the critical ripening period, preserving acidity and extending ripening for Chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES

Expressive citrus and stone fruit aromas such as melon, ripe peach and nectarine complement grapefruit, vanilla and brioche flavours on the palate. These flavours are framed with a flinty complexity and core of juicy acidity. This wine is immediately enjoyable but will continue to drink well for the next eight years.

VINTAGE REPORT & WINEMAKING

The 2023 growing season produced exceptional fruit in the Southern Valleys sub-region. Cool and unsettled weather over flowering created loose and lighter bunches. Warm days were balanced with nights that were particularly cool, and this helped to stop any botrytis that may have occurred early in the season. This allowed us to leave the fruit hanging on the vine until it was perfectly ripe, with concentrated the fruit flavours. The grapes for this wine were handharvested from vineyards located in the Omaka Valley. The fruit was gently pressed in small presses, then transferred to French Oak for fermentation using natural yeasts. Once the barrels were dry a secondary fermentation converted the malic acid into softer lactic acid. The wine was aged for ten months in barrel. A total of 39% new oak was selected to complement the fruit flavour.