Spencer Hill Tasting Notes

Coastal Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay

This wine is a limited release with only 450 cases being produced. It is produced from grapes grown at our Coastal Ridge Vineyard located in North Nelson with a very small amount of our Moutere vineyard grapes added. The heavier soils, cool night time temperatures and high acid clone 15 result in full flavoured grapes. Yields were kept low to gain fruit intensity.

The grapes were hand harvested at just over 24 Brix. They were destemmed, and pressed and the juice was settled overnight. Fermentation took place using a combination of yeasts to provide structure. Cool fermentation temperatures and careful use of new French oak helped preserve the fruit flavours. The wine underwent a full malolactic fermentation. It was aged eight months on oak, carefully fined and bottled. It has spent an additional two years of ageing in the bottle.

Beautiful lemon-green in colour it has a sensational bouquet of honey, tropical fruits and oatmeal. Full flavoured with buttery overtones.

PJ 05/06

Vintage Conditions:

Dry warm conditions during the summer and harvest allowed us to let the grapes fully ripen.

Harvest Date:

mid-April 2002

Vinification:

Very cool ferment on new French oak to keep the delicate flavours. Careful use of new oak to keep the wine in balance.

Bottling Date:

February 2004

Alcohol:

13.5%

pH:

3.21

Acid:

6,2gr.

Residual Sugar:

3.3gr.

Colour:

Brilliant straw yellow

Bouquet:

Tropical with apples and a trace of butteriness.

Palate:

Very well balanced with tropical and apple fruit along with vanilla and buttery overtones.

Packaging:

6 x 750ml.