Te Kairanga Casarina Reserve Chardonnay 2006

NOTES

"tee-kigh-runga" - where the soil is rich and the food is plentiful, Te Kairanga is one of Martinborough's founding vineyards established over 20 years ago. In keeping with the pioneering spirit surrounding the vineyard, a number of Te Kairanga wines have hailed from Martinborough's history and that of its inhabitants dating back to 1879.

The wine region of Martinborough is located at the foot of New Zealand's North Island at latitude of 40 degrees south. Here, a happy coincidence of geology and geography has created the perfect climate and terrain for Pinot Noir and aromatic wines. The stone-filled river terraces are free-draining while the topsoils vary from slope to slope. The mountains protect us from harsh elements and we enjoy long dry days and cool nights. The vines grow less vigorously in the cool, breezy conditions, so yields are lower and the flavours more intense. Our long dry autumns provide the right balance of warm days (creating ripeness) and cool nights (providing elegance) for producing top quality Pinot Noir and other early-ripening varieties. The results speak for themselves – the Martinborough region is known internationally for consistently producing world-class fine wines.

TASTING NOTES

2006 sees an excellent flavour development and overall balance in the grapes. Small batches were processed separately then 100% barrel fermented in selected French oak barriques (35% new oak).  After fermentation the wine was matured for 9 months on its yeast lees, with fortnightly stiring to add complexity.

Light, golden honey in colour with luscious aromas of melon and peach.  The palate shows ripe fruit wiht richness and a creamy texture.  Oak complexity is beautifully integrated around this core of intense, persistence fruit with subtle notes of vanilla and butterscotch.