Stonecroft  
​Chardonnay 2014
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

The 2014 growing season was excellent. They had great weather through flowering and fruit set followed by a long ripening period.  The fruit ripened slightly earlier than usual. Spring was humid and settled and the summer hot with high growing degree days.  Rainfall occurred at the right times. These conditions produced fruit with lots of flavour and good ripeness.
    
Varietal:  Chardonnay

Aroma:  It has peach and nectarine scents with hints of citrus plus subtle toasty, leesy notes.

Palate:  It is a well balanced Chardonnay.  The stone fruit flavors with cashew nut and butterscotch. It has subtle oak treatment.

Bottle Closure:  Cork    

Suggested Cellaring:  3 years

Harvest:  Hand harvested.

Vinification:  The Whole bunch was pressed.  The barrel was fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation as it does for old vine chardonnay.

Alcohol:  13.5% 

Reviews:
>> "The 2014 vintage (4****) was estate-grown and matured for six months in seasoned French oak barrels. Certified organic, it is fresh and weighty, with strong, ripe, peachy, slightly spicy and nutty flavours.  Vibrantly fruity, with excellent mouthfeel and depth, it should be at its best 2016+."
-Michael Cooper's Wine Buyer's Guide 2015-
>> "The wine shows layers of subtleties and delicate flavours; notes of white peach, citrus, oatmeal and almond lead to a finely textured palate that is refined and persistent. One that will gradually develop to show greater complexity and richness. At its best: now to 2020."
-4**** Sam Kim (Wine Orbit)-
>> "Ripe, clean, fresh and inviting bouquet of Chardonnay with some pure fruit expressions of fresh peach, apple and grape fruit; mild+ oak and moderate+ complexity. Quite a youthful wine on palate with grape fruit, lemon and crisp apple bites; dry, medium+ weight and acidity, again mild+ oak with a gentle woody spice and vanilla note. Though youthful - a balanced wine with good length."
-4**** Cameron Douglas-