Craft Series The Pioneer Chardonnay 2015 750ml

Winemaking - Hand harvested and whole bunch pressed the resulting juices were warm fermented on full fruit solids in a range of large format French oak barrels. The young wines were left to mature on full yeast lees for a period of 10 months, with the occasional stir and as the weather warmed in early spring, malo-lactic fermentation was encouraged in approximately two thirds of the barrels. Tasting Note - Elegant yet richly complex the aroma combines elements of white peach and ripe yellow citrus with nut studded nougat and a deliciously spicy, warm low toast oak. Instantly weighty and plush the silky skinned palate shows much stronger elements of winemaker influence with a positive mealy, yeasty funk supporting the bright citrus ? stone fruit core. Textural interest comes via a deftly balanced juxtaposition of ripe, juicy acids set against Waihopai River wet stone minerality that together create a sustained dry, grainy finish.