Goldwater is an estate located on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. It has now been renamed Goldie. Despite being based on this beautiful island in the Auckland harbour, the winery also gets some fruit shipped from other regions in the country.
This Chardonnay came from the main valley of Marlborough: the Wairau. Being on the South Island of New Zealand, Marlborough benefits from a cooler climate than Waiheke Island in the North of the North Island which makes for fresher and crispier wine.
A bit of winemaking: The Chardonnay grapes for this wine were harvested during the cool morning hours of Marlborough, then shipped to Waiheke Island. There, after pressing and clarification, the wine was barrel fermented and aged for 11 month into French oak, 30% new.
So what is it worth? The answer is in the tasting notes:
Color: relatively light lemon colour, clear and shiny
Nose: quite intense, dominated by fresh fruit notes: subtle but intense pear, citrus and lemon, a kind of lemony orange (an acidic orange, not a sweet or fragrant one), a touch of pineapple. subtle flavours of quality oak and vanilla complement the typical –and here not heavy – chardonnay notes of brioche and butter.
Palate: the wine is driven by a smooth acidity, rounded up by the right amount of body. Overall, it feels fresh and fruity, with the right weight to support a good aromatic complexity. Quite an explosion of flavours with notes of fruit (as per the nose), oak, pastry, and where nothing overpowers the rest. Aromas play as a team for an enjoyable experience, refreshing yet memorable. Surprisingly, absolutely no oak tannins are perceptible although the oak flavours are well there which helps the acidity play her freshening role.
Conclusion: All in all, a very very good Kiwi Chardonnay, definitely in a Burgundy style (in a warm vintage, let’s say a low-to-mid Premier Cru level), with perhaps a bit more fruit and new oak. Fresh, fragrant, subtle, balanced.
Definitely recommended, if you can find it.
More information about this wine on 2012 Goldwater Chardonnay – Tech Sheet.
Find more information about Goldie Wines at goldiewines.co.nz.
Locate Goldie Wines on Wine-Searcher.
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