2009

Welcome
Mills Reef Winery Producers of distinctive wines

Click for larger image

Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay 2009

Vintage:                 2009

Variety:                  Chardonnay

Area:                      Meeanee, Hawkes Bay

Winemakers:           Tim Preston & Paul Dawick

Alcohol:                   14%

Tasting Notes:

The grapes (of superior budwood clones) were sourced from two vineyards in the cooler coastal Meeanee district, on sandy soils, noted for yielding wines with pronounced fruit aromas and flavours.

An outstanding growing season combined with low yielding vines produced exceptional quality grapes. Harvesting took place between 26th of March and 10th of April at ideal ripeness and flavour profile.

The juice was 79% barrel fermented (54% French and 46% American oak), with frequent lees stirring for enhanced complexity. The remaining juice was tank fermented for enhanced fruit profile. Thirty five percent of the final wine was treated to malolactic fermentation and thereafter the entire parcel barrel-aged for 11 months, then bottled under screwcap on March 30th 2010.

This rich full and creamy Chardonnay exudes peach, citrus and passionfruit flavours, complimented with integrated buttery vanillin oak and finely balanced acidity. The palate is complex and full-bodied, lingering to a satisfyingly long harmonious finish. Delicious now, it will also mature gracefully for several years.