Main Divide Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2020

Main Divide Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2020French oak Grapefruit Citrus blossom Flint & smoky notes "It's complex and engaging on the nose showing apricot, lemon peel, baked fig, almond and subtle flinty characters. The palate displays excellent weight and juicy fruit flavours backed by bright acidity, finishing long and attractive. At its best: now to 2025" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sep 2021 It is bright lemon in colour, with an unfolding bouquet full of grapefruit and citrus blossom, giving way

• French oak
• Grapefruit
• Citrus blossom
• Flint & smoky notes

"It's complex and engaging on the nose showing apricot, lemon peel, baked fig, almond and subtle flinty characters. The palate displays excellent weight and juicy fruit flavours backed by bright acidity, finishing long and attractive. At its best: now to 2025" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sep 2021

It is bright lemon in colour, with an unfolding bouquet full of grapefruit and citrus blossom, giving way to crushed almonds, flint and smoky suggestions. A hint of struck match adds to the allure. The wine is succulent and rounded on the palate, with refreshing acidity that gives vibrancy and balance, prolonging the finish.

Settled weather over flowering provided a healthy fruit set, which was then thinned back to desired levels. The ensuing summer was dry with very little rain, resulting in perfectly ripened small berries full of intense flavour and concentration. Thankfully, our harvest was able to proceed during the C-19 lockdown, and an unbroken autumn full of warm days meant each plot was picked at its optimum maturity.

Winemakers use traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. The fruit was harvested during late March and early April and gently pressed. The non-clarified juice was then put into large French oak barriques, where it underwent primary fermentation by the grapes’ natural yeasts. The wine was then matured in these barriques on its own yeast lees (sur lie). In late spring after harvest, it started to go through spontaneous secondary (malolactic) fermentation. It was regularly tasted during this time and the fermentation was stopped when the ideal balance was obtained.

Main Divide is the local name for the Southern Alps and is the backbone of the South Island, where grapes for Main Divide are exclusively sourced. Vineyards have been selected for their quality and ability to express unique regional flavours.