2009 Greywacke Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The final wine to be released from (ex Cloudy Bay) Kevin Judd's own personal venture from his debut vintage bringing the total to seven. Wild yeast and two vineyards planted with the Mendoza clone. Whole bunch pressed and ferrmented in French barriques (25% new) where it remained for 16 months before two months on yeast lees.'Occasional' lees stirring. Complex 'burgundian' nose. Quite a departure on the nose from the Marlborough norm, although the palate with its vibrant acidity and quite rich fruit is more recognisable. Good palate breadth – slight note of bitterness on the finish at the moment. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Naturally fermented in French oak barriques, 25% new, and aged for 12 months with occasional lees stirring and full malo-lactic, the 2009 Chardonnay gives expressive notes of ripe apricots, guava, green mango and apple tart over nuances of buttered oatmeal and crushed cashews. Full bodied, ripe and rich in the mouth, it has a wonderfully creamy texture and generous amount of fruit flavor, finishing long with lingering honeyed peach notes. Delicious now, it should continue to cellar to 2016+. Greywacke does not currently have a USA importer.
Subtle, tangerine, apple with sharp acid giving real shivers. Some salty and creamy character. Minimal oak, ripe and yet linear. (RH)