2021 Dog Point, Chardonnay, Marlborough, New Zealand

76% Mendoza clone, 24% clone 95 vines with an average age of 27. Both fermentations are spontaneous. Pressed straight to barrel 10% new), where it was aged for 18 months. Unfined and minimal filtration.

Intriguing, smoky, leesy nose with some precision and a bone-dry palate offering great refreshment. There's a certain, not disagreeable, milkiness here. Really fine and lively. Super cool and refreshing. No hurry to drink this – and no suggestion of sweetness or oakiness. This is a long-term wine that should be of interest to those who admire Kumeu River Chardonnays.

Drink 2024 - 2030

The 2021 Chardonnay is a punchy little number with vim and vigour. It offers the sweetness of fruit with a bracing, bright, citrus-like acidity, creating firmness on the finish. This effect results from the high incidence of shot berries, a trait of the Mendoza clone that was particularly prevalent in 2021. It underwent 100% wild fermentation in barrel 10% new oak) before spending 18 months on lees. This results in croissant-like characters alongside sweet, white stone fruit and citrus flavours.

Drink 2024 - 2029

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Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and acacia were followed by sea shell, cheese rind, and a hint of hay and button mushroom. Medium-bodied, refreshing acidity. Zesty layers with fascinating complexity. From organically grown grapes. 

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