Irongate Chardonnay

Irongate Chardonnay is grown in our flagship Irongate Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels appellation of Hawke’s Bay. From origins in 1985 as a secret experiment in barrel fermentation, this wine now represents the very best of our craft. The vines are pre-selected early in the season at pruning, and crop levels are closely monitored. The result is a limited release wine that is built to last, with spectacular varietal and regional flavours.

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Tasting Notes

Peach, cashew, lemon curd and vanilla with some light spice and mealy notes.

Smooth and full bodied with flavours of fresh apple, peach and nectarine. Also evident are cashew, brioche and nutmeg, a rich, powerful and generous wine.

Winemaker Notes

This Chardonnay was harvested from 31 & 8yr old predominately Mendoza clone vines. One half was hand picked and whole bunch pressed. The balance was machine harvested. The juice was fermented with predominantly wild yeast in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques. After ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent six months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Food Pairing

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

Technical Notes

Alc	14.5%
TA	5.9g/L
pH	3.55
RS	1.7g/L

Key Information

First Vintage	1985
Region	Gimblett Gravel, Hawke's Bay
Fermentation Vessel	Oak barriques - 23% new French Oak.
Malolactic	6 months+ on lees in barrique, with lees stirring
Fining	Casein