Score: 88
Matahiwi Estate is a New Zealand wine producer that offers 3 ranges of wine starting from Mt Hector and the Mathiwi Estate wines. The ‘Holly’ range represents their flagship, the finest expression of the producer’s savoir-faire. See further detail in Matahiwi Estate full producer profile.
The fruit for this Chardonnay wine is sourced from the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, just North of where the Matahiwi winery is based in the Wairarapa valley.
The Chardonnay fruit is sourced from a single vineyard in the upper reaches of the Dartmoor Valley. The vineyard is planted in several different clones of Chardonnay and features free-draining stony silt loams soil. The crop levels are kept very low and exposed to the maximum level of sunshine to ensure even ripening and the development of flavours.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Bright lemon-gold shiny color
Nose: Dominated by rather-exuberant tropical fruit notes: pineapple and lychee. These are surprisingly combined with plenty of spice characteristics. The wine is rounded up by creamy and buttery character from the oak, nicely integrated. A touch of hay, subtle honey, fennel, pear, and flowers. Medium aromatic intensity, but rather complex.
Palate: Mid- to full-bodied. Lacks in acidity a bit. Alcohol is present. Dominant flavors are made of spices and oaky characters. Quite long, with honey, hay, and wax notes on the finish. Smooth silky tannins round up the structure and make for an enjoyable mouthfeel.
Overall: a rich textural barrel-fermented Chardonnay with good complexity.
Preferably serve cool to freshen up the aromas.
Food Pairing: The expressive aromatic intensity might be a little too much for the classic Chardonnay combinations: subtle entrées and seafood. This one will rather work with sweet and sour dishes: from cheese and marmalade platter, to Asian cuisine and savory desserts like apple-rhubarb crumble, dark bitter chocolate specialties.
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