Methode Traditionnelle

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Aromatic

Dessert Wine

Rose

Red Wine
 

Monowai 2010 Chardonnay

Today's Weekly Wine is yet another from the winery in the Crownethorpe sub-region of the Hawkes Bay owned by Emma Lowe and Marcelo Nunez. The winery specialises in cool climate wines and blends skills learned on both sides of the Pacific Ocean to produce quality wines.

Unfortunately I didn't receive any tasting notes for this particular wine, so I can't tell you much about the 2010growing season. I can however tell from the tasting that at least a portion of this wine has been matured in Oak and it has the same general style as the 2009 Monowai Chardonnay that I have also reviewed.

The fruit for this wine was grown on a portion of Monowai's 22ha vineyard, located on the northern banks of the Ngaruroro River. The soil type is free draining red gravel with a thin top layer of silt loam. It was deemed that these soils and the general climate were well suited to producing premium Chardonnay as well as other varietals like Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot by Emma and Marcelo.

The grapevines are trained to increase fruit intensity and consistency. Hand thinning ensures low yields and leaf plucking maximizes sunlight and air movement through the vines. The winery itself was commissioned in 2005 and designed fspecifically for producing premium wines.

I found the golden coloured 2010 Monowai Chardonnay to have delicious peach, stonefruit and citrus aromas. On the palate, the notes of peach also shine through along with apricot and zesty lemon. The underlying creamy, buttery notes make it a soft, round wine with a pleasant lingering finish.

It is an easy drinking wine that is drinking well now but should continue to develop over the next three years. I would particularly recommend trying it with either chicken, or a pasta with creamy sauce (like Alfredo).

Reviewed by Stephen Clark (7/11/2011)

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