Spy Valley Noble Chardonnay 2007

Country

New Zealand

Region

Marlborough

Vineyards

Johnson Estate

Variety

100% Chardonnay

Harvest Date

17 May 2007

Brix at Harvest

41.6 °Brix

Viticulturalist

Adam McCone

Vineyard Notes

Almost a month after picking the surrounding vines for the Spy Valley Chardonnay, the vines selected for the Noble were in good condition, but with no sign of the required botrytis infection. In a determined effort, the vines were sprayed with water daily to try and induce the much needed fungal attack. Finally late in May, after a long rainy weekend the grapes were infected, but the rot proceeded so quickly, that it looked like all would be lost. Luckily the weather gods smiled and unleashed a hot, dry Nor-West wind, and in several days the berries dried, shriveled and started to look and taste superbly sweet and luscious.

Soils

Shallow and stony soils with overlying sandy loam

Winemakers

Paul Bourgeois and Ant Mackenzie

Winemaking

Careful hand-picking and a long, slow pressing gave a treacly juice that was fermented for five weeks, then aged in small, old French oak barrels for four months before bottling.

Colour

Straw, with golden tints

Bouquet

Early aromas of hay, caramel and nuts will give way to typical honey/mushroom and spicy botrytis aromas as the wine develops in the bottle.

Palate

Rich, mouthfilling and long. The oily palate shows some classic melon and citrus varietal characters, overlaid with a truffle and toffee-like decadent sweetness.

Release Date

November 2007

Cellaring

3-5 years