Viticulture

Located on the ‘Golden Mile’ in Marlborough the Staete Landt vineyard experienced a mild winter and spring during the 2007 vintage.
In September the vines went through budburst followed by good healthy growth through to the beginning of flowering in early December. A continued mild and dry period resulted in a good fruit-set and provided a healthy and good size crop. The mild dry weather continued through February and we had to control crop levels by removing a substantial number of bunches by hand.
This resulted in our required crop level of approx. 2.8 tonnes/acre.
The mild and dry summer conditions continued through to a timely harvest. This ideal 2007 vintage gave us beautiful clean fruit with optimum physiological ripeness and great intensity of flavours.

The Chardonnay was handpicked from four separate blocks comprising of two different clones; clone 95 and clone 15, planted on three different rootstocks: Riparia Gloire, 101-14 and Schwarzmann. Each clone and rootstock combination is mirrored on different soil types within the Estate Vineyard, giving fruit from each of the parcels great individuality.

Harvest Dates: 27 – 31 March 2007
Brix: 23.6 – 24.6

Winemaking

All Chardonnay grapes were hand picked, whole bunch pressed in order to produce the finest most delicate juice. This juice was settled briefly before being racked straight to barrels to undergo fermentation. The Chardonnay fermented in a mixture of 20% new French oak and 80% older French oak barrels. Half the wine was allowed an indigenous yeast fermentation adding complexity and extra mouth-feel to the wine. Following the alcoholic fermentation the barrels were stirred regularly until completion of the secondary malo-lactic fermentation. The wine aged on the lees until they were eventually racked in August 2008. The Chardonnay aged in barrels for a total of 18 months. After the final racking the different component wines were blended back together, lightly fined and then kept in tank to clarify just prior to bottling.

Wine Analysis

Alcohol: 14%; Acidity: 6.3 g/l; pH: 3.2; Sugar: < 1 gr

Tasting Note

The 2007 Staete Landt Chardonnay is a powerful expression of what Marlborough can do for a Classic Chardonnay. With aromas of white peaches and lanolin the wine has a sophisticated palate of ripe stone summer fruit and hazelnuts. This Chardonnay has lots of complexity and mineral undertones to complement the fruit and nutty characters. Full bodied yet elegant wine, with a dry and crisp finish.