Falconhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014

Falconhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay

The nectarine and peach aromas of the Falconhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay are complimented with the delightful barrel fermentation aromas of crème brûlée and nougat. Subtle oak continues to influence the palate combined with a soft acidity and lingering rock melon fruit flavours.

Falconhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay was sourced from all three of our Hawkes Bay chardonnay vineyards, Riverview, Kinross and Tantallon combining the best characteristics from each. The three vineyards are located in three quite distinct viticultural sub regions. Tantallon is the warmest of the sites and also the earliest ripening. As a result the flavours tend toward to riper spectrum of pineapple and tropical fruit. These flavours burst on the front of the palate. Kinross is the coolest and also latest ripening. Its flavours tend more in the citrus zone and when fully ripe give intense rock melon and blood orange characters. Our Riverview vineyard is one of the worlds’ great vineyards and home to Coniglio. Its very free draining soils contribute to typical flavours of stone fruit and ripe nectarine.

The individual pickings of Chardonnay were pressed and fermented at our Riverview winery, prior to approx. 35% going to French oak barriques for fermentation and maturation. A small percentage of the wine went through MLF, which has a softening effect on the Falconhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay, and imparts some aromatic and textural complexity. After 12 months and barrel and tank the wine was blended, with bottling in July 2014.

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