Tiki Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 - Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand and the second largest. Located at 39.4°S, in the North Island of New Zealand, our climate is maritime and similar to Bordeaux. This region is well known for their rich, complex Chardonnays
COLOUR
A delicate, pale straw green
NOSE
Exhibits a very strong combination of Clone 15 Chardonnay fruit, complex toasty oak and yeast lees along with subtle malolactic fermentation aromas.
PALATE
A full-flavoured Chardonnay delivering clear varietal flavours supported by a fullness and creaminess derived from extended time on yeast lees in barrel. Full malolactic fermentation has helped to soften the wine and add complexity of flavour that is supported by a subtle oak background from the barrel- ageing.
REGION
100% Hawke’s Bay, 175m elevation
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The weather conditions were variable with some rain pressure late in the season. However the warm summer allowed the Chardonnay fruit to attain full maturity while still retaining a good level of natural acidity to ensure freshness and flavour. Climatically there were a few challenges but nonetheless harvest decisions were able to be made on flavour ripeness.
WINEMAKING
The fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness from the vineyard that encompasses the winery. It was then whole- berry pressed using a Champagne cycle with no press cuts. Pressing was followed by cold settling to clarify the juice. The clear juice was fermented in new and seasoned French Oak Barriques with a selection of Chardonnay yeast and then went through a full malolactic fermentation to add complexity to the palate. After fermenting in barrel, the wine was aged for ten months on yeast lees with fortnightly stirring to encourage extraction of yeast mannoproteins that aid with palate weight and roundness.
WINEMAKER
Evan Ward
GRAPE VARIETY
100% Chardonnay, Clone 15
MATURATION
100% barrel fermentation and maturation for ten months.
WINE ANALYSIS
Alc Vol: 13.5% vol
Acidity (TA): 4.1 g/l
pH: 3.56 g/l
Residual Sugar: less than 1g/l
PEAK DRINKING
2019/22 - Will continue to develop for a further 5 years
FOOD MATCH
Perfect with light and delicate food such as raw and lightly cooked shellfish like prawns, steamed or grilled fish, fish pâtés, fish, chicken or vegetable terrines and pasta or risotto with spring vegetables.
AWARDS
5 Stars, Wine Orbit, March 2019