Single Estate Chardonnay

Name: Single Estate Chardonnay
Brand: Ara Wines

Fresh • Toasty • Refined

A traditional style Chardonnay showing rich, generous fruit with a creamy character and clean lees complexity. Enticing toasty lees flavour with a oatmeal influence. Mid-palate texture is supported by a focused, persistant finish.

5 STARS
Wine Orbit - Sam Kim, 5 Stars (2016 Vintage)

Marlborough, New Zealand

Sourced preominantly from our Estate vineyards in the middle Wairau valley - Woodbourne and Rapaura.

The Woodbourne site has silt loam over old river gravels producing bright, citrus aromatics and fine acidity. The Rapaura block is older vines on a fertile site closer to the Wairau River. The fruit produced has punchy tropical character and the age of the vines ensures lower cropping and very good fruit weight as well as intensity of aroma and flavour.

The early season was dry in Marlborough but soil moisture levels were high enough to maintain exceptionally healthy vines. Average temperatures increased through December leading to successful flowering. Rain in January and February arrived at the right time which was ideal conditions for berry development. Increased temperatures from February onward created the perfect ripening environment. Overall, these conditions contributed to create fruit with developed flavour and acidity - perfect for Chardonnay.

Several component picks were fermented separately in larger format French oak barrels. Minimal malolactic fermentation retained acidity. The wine was matured in barrel for 11 months prior to barrel selection and blending. The wine was held cool on light lees in tank for a further seven months for greater complexity and to provide more focus prior to bottling in November 2017.

Enjoy this Single Estate wine upon release or for up to a further 3 years.