2004 Chardonnay

Winemaker’s Notes

Harvest date                  28 – 29 April 2004

Sugars at harvest            23.2 – 23.4 Brix

Bottling date                  18 March 2005

Cases produced              565

Alcohol                          13.9%

pH                                3.28

T/A                               8.4 gm/litre

100% fruit from the Rimu Grove Estate Vineyard.

100% barrel fermented in French oak (42% new)

42% malolactic fermentation

Grapes were picked by hand and whole-bunch pressed,

followed by cool fermentation in 225L barriques.

The wine was routinely barrel-stirred on full lees for 11 months.

Tasting Notes:

Richly-scented aromatics of toasted hazelnuts, shortbread, muscat, star jasmine and complex citrus notes. A vibrant, rich palate with attractive lemondrop characters and citrus, mealy and nutty complexity echo on the long, impressive finish. A true classic in the style of Burgundy.  Drink now through 2012.