VINTAGE NOTES

The growing season began with a roar. A wet winter had left soils saturated, and mild spring temperatures kicked off strong early canopy growth. Flowering was slightly earlier than average with vines in mid flower by late December. A little drizzle during flowering affected pollination and meant the bunches were open and had lots of smaller berries in them. After the wet winter and adequate rainfall during spring, the last significant rain of summer was on Christmas day when 27mls fell. For the rest of the growing season the warm dry weather was perfect for growing disease-free fruit and meant harvest was going to start early. The dry summer reduced the size of the grapes and so crops were a bit lighter than estimates had predicted. Vintage itself was really concentrated with all fruit harvested in 22 days compared to the 33 days over 2018. The 2019 harvest is of very high quality with pristine fruit and great flavours. Chardonnay flavours will be very concentrated and in a riper style than the past two vintages.

VINIFICATION

The fruit for this wine came from two unique vineyards in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, Meadowbank Estate up the Taylor Pass and Anderson Vineyard in the Brancott valley. The grapes were harvested carefully by hand and machine then taken to the winery for transformation into liquid gold using a variety of techniques. Whole cluster pressed portions went directly into French oak barrels for a wild ferment on high solids. Other portions were tank fermented and some were cold settled and partially tank fermented and then sent to barrels midferment. The yeast lees in the barrels were stirred frequently over a nine month period to add body and complexity, and the wine underwent full malolactic fermentation to lower the acid profile. After its extended nap in the barrels, the various parcels were pumped back to tank, blended then bottled.

FOOD MATCH Perfect with light and delicate foods such as raw and lightly cooked seafood, crayfish or ceviche. Also try with creamy risotto and roasted chicken thighs topped with fresh spring onion.

Producer Jules Taylor

Category Wine - Still - White

Grape Sauvignon Blanc

Geography Marlborough, New Zealand

Alcohol by volume 13.5%

Features Sustainable, Vegan

Available for Store Pick Up and Shipping to Illinois Residents Only - UPS Adult Signature is required