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This is Trinity Hill's earlier-drinking style of Hawkes Bay Chardonnay. It's the perfect glass of wine on its own or as a match for lighter-style foods like seafood or chicken. The grapefruit and melon flavours of the wine speak for themselves with little oak influence.
THE VARIETY
Chardonnay Clones 15 and Mendoza
VINEYARD LOCATION
Various vineyards throughout Hawkes Bay including the sub-regions Gimblett Gravels, Clive and Maraekakaho.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
2007 was an outstanding vintage in Hawkes Bay. A mild summer followed by an excellent autumn allowed full ripeness of the grapes, with concentrated aromas and flavours with a great acid balance. As a bonus, crop levels were also good after a small 2006.
WINEMAKING
The grapes were rapidly and gently processed without crushing or destemming to encourage low phenolic pickup. This helps to improve the texture and aging ability of the wine. Only a small part of the juice was fermented and aged in French oak barriques with the balance fermented in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to proceed for about 30% of the wine, helping to fatten the palate.
The wine was blended after some 8 months aging on lees and bottled in December 2007.
THE COLOUR
Medium straw with tinges of green.
THE BOUQUET
Stonefruit.
THE PALATE
Typical fruit characters from Hawkes Bay Chardonnay such as grapefruit and melon are unencumbered with the minimal use of oak, in a Chablis vein. The wine is rich and round, with a soft acidity and attractive sweet fruit.
PEAK DRINKING
The wine shows excellent aging potential and should be at its best by the year 2008-2009.
Maturation under good cellar conditions for a further 2 years will be well rewarded.
FOOD MATCHES
Serve lightly chilled with seafood or poultry dishes.
PREVIOUS VINTAGES
1996 - 2006
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