Product Description
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River Farm, Chardonnay, 2024, Marlborough, New Zealand
Producer Profile
River Farm Wines is owned and operated by the Jones family who first purchased Marlborough land in the late 1800s; long before anyone knew of its wine growing potential.
Today the family has dedicated 330 acres of their best sites to grape production. The ability to source 100% estate grown fruit from three separate vineyard locations within the Awatere and Wairau sub regions.
River Farm is run by brothers James & Andrew the 4th generation of the Jones family on the land. Their meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard is expressed in every glass of River Farm wine.
The crystal clear water of the Awatere River is the life blood of River Farm and the source for the alluvial soils that give the wines their unique character.
This is River Farm. Created by nature. Perfected by nurture.
Viticulture
River Farm is fortunate to have family owned vineyards in both the Wairau and Awatere Valleys. Although both valley’s are located in Marlborough they each have differences in soil and climate forming their own unique characteristic fruit flavours The Awatere Valley is generally cooler, drier and windier than the Wairau Valley. Fruit grown at O’Dwyers Farm Vineyard therefore experiences a very different climate to the two Awatere Valley vineyard locations. These differences are reflected in the very distinctive wines produced at each vineyard and when blended together allow a wide range of fruit characteristics in all River Farm wines.
This Chardonnay was sourced from 2 vineyard sites located in the Awatere Valley. 100% – Mendoza clones from the Lang Lane vineyard located in the Lower Dashwood. The yield on the two cane VSP (vertical shoot position) trained vines were closely monitored during the growing season. Targeted shoot thinning was completed after early shoot growth to produce low yielding intensely-concentrated fruit. Further fruit thinning and hand leaf plucking was performed post veraison to further enhance bunch uniformity and ripeness.
The fruit was hand-picked in cool early morning conditions at peak maturity and flavour development.
Winemaking
The fruit was whole bunch pressed and settled before undergoing fermentation using wild yeast in a combination of old and new French oak barrels. The wine was lees stirred regularly to build texture and creaminess to the palate. After full malolactic fermentation the wine was aged for 11 months in barrel (35% new oak).
Tasting Note
A full and concentrated Chardonnay with complex flavours of ripe citrus and yellow stone fruits. The textures are fine and the flavours are mouth filling with a strong core that carries to a full, citrus and nutty finish with lemon-curd and toasty oak.
Goes well with
Pairs well with creamy dishes and, rich foods.
Cellaring
Perfect drinking now or for up to 5 years.
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw Cap
Style: Still Wine
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Vintage: 2024
