VIDAL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019

With the accolades given the Legacy Chardonnays it is no surprise to see the quality coming through on this, the Vidal Reserve range. Michael Cooper says… "This middle-tier label is a consistently good buy, and the latest release offers irresistible value." A blend of Hawkes Bay sites including the famous Keltern vineyard.

There is a little bit of flinty smokiness on the nose, but the palate is all about ripe peach/stonefruits with soft acidity carrying the finish. There is a freshness and the full barrel ferment in 15% new oak adds just a hint of vanilla spiced oak character.

Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"The 2019 vintage has produced a classic Hawke's Bay Chardonnay. Beautifully fragrant citrus, stone fruit and roasted nuts combine on a finely styled, textured and balanced palate showing good complexity.

Fruit for this wine was produced predominantly from the Keltern vineyard in Maraekakaho and balanced with premium sites in Ohiti, Te Awanga and the stoney soils of Omahu Gravels. The soil type and climate of each site have contributed particular characters to the final wine. The warm and dry Summer of 2019 allowed early picking at good flavour ripeness. Picking decisions were based on flavour and natural acid balance allowing the wines to express intensity and purity of fruit with fine definition and length on the plate.

Juices from gently pressed grapes were partially settled before being racked with light lees to French oak barriques (15% new) for natural and inoculated fermentation. Following this, some batches went through natural malolactic fermentation to balance out the natural acidity. Oak barrels were selected for their subtle flavour and aroma profile, adding complexity gained from 10 months maturation on lees. Sensitive winemaking has allowed site and season to be reflected, supporting the defined, complex and elegant style of this wine."

Reviews for the 2018 vintage below…

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2019 (2018 Vintage)
"Elegant, complex and inviting, the attractively expressed bouquet shows ripe stone fruit, nougat, roasted cashew and subtle flinty characters. The palate is beautifully weighted and rounded, delivering lovely fruit purity together with stylish oak undertones, backed by bright acidity, finishing long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2022."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2018 Vintage)
"This middle-tier label is a consistently good buy, and the latest release offers irresistible value. The 2018 vintage was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (20 per cent new). Already delicious, it is bright, light lemon/green, with a slightly smoky fragrance. Mouthfilling, fresh and generous, it has citrusy, peachy, slightly toasty flavours, showing excellent richness, delicacy and complexity. Best drinking mid-2020+."

90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, July 2019 (2018 Vintage)
"A very inviting bouquet of Chardonnay with aromas of vanilla baked custard, peaches and ripe apple. Some toasty wood scents and a little dry stone earth qualities. Equally appealing on the palate with a creamy texture, very fine tannins, nice acid line and flavours of yellow orchard fruits and a little citrus. Balanced, well made and ready to enjoy. Drink well now and through 2023."