2022 Maude Central Otago Chardonnay

Brand	Maude
Region	Central Otago
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.0%
Vintage	2022
Country	New Zealand

Eerily similar in structure, finesse and flavour to expensive Les Folitaires White Burgundy… only hugely and positively dissimilar in price. From the moment it hit my palate I was excited and full of anticipation. Great wines are always the sum of parts delivered in a complete whole. Maude 2022 Chardonnay has a subtle energy, ethereal texture, finely complex palate and captivating balance on the finish. Crafted with hand harvested fruit sourced from the West Block of the Mt Maude vineyard as well as fruit from ‘trial vineyards’ in Pisa, Gibbston Valley and Lowburn. There were so many positives with 2022 growing season and harvest. Timely rains from October to December, combined with warm dry periods in between allowed the vines to thrive, producing good, even growth making Spring / Summer vine training a dream. Jack frost was nowhere to be found delivering calm settled weather over flowering and fruit set, resulting in a healthy crop load with above average number of bunches per vine... but smaller than average berry size, the perfect combination. Whole bunch pressed, 100% barrique and puncheon fermentation in fine French oak activated by indigenous yeast, 100% MLF balances the acidity and with oak maturation builds texture and roundness. Only minimally fined before bottling to preserve the wonderful character of this beautiful Burgundian like Central Otago Chardonnay.

Complex with ripe nectarine and peach, a touch of flint, nuttiness from wild fermentation in barrel and subtle hints of freshly baked pastry.

Seamless and concentrated with ripe round stone-fruit flavours layered with elegant oak and nuttiness in a fine, silky texture. Delicious secondary flavours of brioche, subtle fresh butter and an undertone of flint, add even more seduction to this beautifully stylish Chardonnay. Impeccable balance, energy and unerring length. Absolutely delicious as a young wine, it will greatly reward 5+ years of cellaring.