Lake Chalice 'The Raptor' Chardonnay Marlborough 2021
A full bodied Chardonnay with complex aromas of flint and ripe stone fruits, complemented by a subtle hint of mulled spice. The creamy palate is threaded with a balancing acidity and reveals layers of soft vanilla, tropical passionfruit and mango with delicious flinty overtones on the finish.
The grapes are sourced exclusively from mature vines within a single hectare vineyard block called the Reed Vineyard. The vines are a mixture of Burgundian Chardonnay clones; predominantly they are clone 95, with some Mendoza and some clone 15. The fruit from this block has become renowned for delivering crisp flinty flavours. The carefully selected fruit is hand-harvested in order pick some as whole bunches, for additional complexity when vinified.
The grapes were carefully selected and vinified with 100% wild yeasts. Some were vinified as whole bunches, to add complexity. Fermentation took place in a selection of new and seasoned French oak barriques, lasting 10 months where malolactic conversion took place imparting a creamy texture.
| RRP | £23.50 |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13% |
| Serve with | An ideal match with creamy chicken dishes, risotto or scallops in a white wine sauce. |
| Grapes | Chardonnay 100% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 2 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Screwcap |
Lake Chalice was established in 1989 with a vision of producing internationally recognised wines from the heart of the Marlborough region.
New Zealand’s native falcon, the ‘Kārearea’, is proudly displayed on every bottle of Lake Chalice wine. Kārearea favour the remote mountains and foothills of the upper Awatere and Wairau valleys and these valleys are home to Lake Chalice’s three unique vineyard sites. Each vineyard has a diverse microclimate, biodiversity and terroir which are seamlessly translated into multi award winning wines by talented winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen. Taking a boutique approach she handcrafts parcels of fruit from single vineyards into elegant, aromatic, fruit driven wines and has garnered a global reputation of outstanding quality. Certified ‘Sustainable Winegrower of New Zealand’.
