BROOKFIELDS MARSHALL BANK CHARDONNAY 2020

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The ‘Marshall Bank’ Chardonnay grapes were grown at our Ohiti Estate vineyards. Marshall Bank was an old family property down in West Otago where my grand-father Dr. Bill Robertson practiced for forty five years. The grapes were harvested on 14th March 2020.

Fermentation took place in a 50/50 mix of new French and near new oak barriques in a carefully temperature controlled environment. After fermentation was complete, the wine was lee stirred weekly until it was racked. Only 20% of this Chardonnay went through malolactic fermentation. Total time in barrel was for approximately 10 months.

The ripe stone fruits, brioche, toast and succulent new French oak have molded together in the impressive 2020 ‘Marshall Bank’ Chardonnay. It was fermented with indigenous yeast and there is also a hint of malolactic fermentation. Due to its fruit weight and the exceptional growing season, the 2020 ‘Marshall Bank’ will continue to age with dignity."

5 Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Brookfields' top Chardonnay is named after proprietor Peter Robertson's grandfather's property in Otago. Grown in a vineyard adjacent to the winery at Meeanee and fermented and matured (with weekly stirring of its yeast lees) in French oak barriques (45 per cent new in 2020), it is a powerful, classy, concentrated Hawke's Bay wine. The bright, light lemon/green 2020 vintage is a classic regional style. Fleshy, it has rich, ripe, stonefruit flavours, enriched with toasty oak, and a long, well-rounded finish. Already drinking well, it should be at its best 2023+."

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Wonderfully ripe and gorgeously complex, the wine shows golden peach, baked fig, vanilla, cedar and brioche characters on the nose. The concentrated palate displays excellent depth and expansive mouthfeel, beautifully complemented by silken texture and beautifully integrated acidity. Stylish and refined. At its best: now to 2027."

5 Stars Yvonne Lorkin (2020 Vintage)
"Just gonna put it out there to say I feel this is the best Marshall Bank chardonnay Pete Robertson and his team have ever produced. Dangerously drinkable, and deliciously defined, it absolutely pops with pineapple, roast peach, rockmelon, yellow plum and toasted almond notes on the nose and palate. Fermented in a blend of new and seasoned, older oak and left for another 8 months to quietly morph into something completely magical, it’s now a total rock star that any chardonnay fan should get amongst. Balanced, bouncy, but generously proportioned in jubilantly juicy fashion, I love it."

Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…

5 Stars & 18.5+/20 Candice Chow for Raymond Chan, August 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"Bright, light yellow with some depth, youthful, even colour throughout. The bouquet is elegant with aromas of ripe stonefruit, peaches and nectarines, along with baking spices and toasty oak details. Medium-full bodied, the palate is filled with concentrated fruit notes of peaches, nectarines, lemons, entwined with hazelnut, toasty and nutty oak details. The mouthfeel is voluminous and textural, fine phenolic and buttery creaminess flow smoothly with lively acidity balance, carries spices and nutty oak detail to a long sustained finish. This is a harmoniously balanced medium-full bodied Chardonnay with stonefruit, spice and nutty oak details. Match with roasted chicken and cheese fondue over the next 4-6 years. Fermented to 14% alc, in 50% new, 50% near new French oak barriques and aged in barrels for 10 months. 20% MLF."