A triumph of mother nature, organically grown and naturally fermented, this wine’s complex layers deliver rich and full-bodied flavours to the palate, with a tightly structured minerality typical of the clone.
Our Chardannay block, planted in 1996 consistently produces stunning fruit. The Mendoza clone, known for its low yields and ‘hen and chicken’ fruit set, provides a high skin-to-juice ratio and thus a beautiful depth and concentration of flavour.
The grapes are handpicked and whole bunched pressed, and the juice is run directly into French 500L oak puncheons. Wild yeasts from the vineyard provide a natural fermentation. The wine is left to develop in barrels for 12 months.
With very little winemaker’s influence, this wine is a testament to the quality of the Walnut Block fruit. Low in sulphr, and it’s vegetarian and vegan friendly.
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Walnut Block wines evolve gracefully over time. Walnut Block Chardonnay is a stylish and complex wine that will cellar well for 5-8 years.
4 Star Cellering Potential - NZ Organic Wine Awards 2020 Nutcracker Chardonnay 5 stars Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper MW Certified organic, this classy young wine was hand-picked, and fermented and matured for a year in French oak puncheons (25% new). Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it is a youthful, elegant wine, with strong, vibrant stonefruit flavours, finely integrated oak, and excellent delicacy, richness and harmony. Best drinking mid-2023+. 92pts Real Review, Bob Campbell MW Mellow, flavoursome chardonnay with peaches and cream, ginger, roasted nut and spicy oak flavours. An appealing wine with a silken-smooth texture and a lingering finish. 2019 Nutcracker Chardonnay 4.5 stars Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper MW Still unfolding, bright, light yellow/green, it is fragrant, with fresh acidity and concentrated, peachy, toasty, slightly creamy flavours, showing very good complexity. 92pts Real Review, Bob Campbell MW Rich, flavoursome chardonnay, with a mix of fruit (grapefruit, white peach) and savoury (struck-flint, toast, brioche and spicy oak) characters. A textural, mouth-filling wine, with a backbone of crisp acidity and fine, drying tannins. Should develop well with bottle age.
Walnut Block Cottages offer superb 5-star accommodation in a secluded setting among the vines – perfect for travellers seeking a relaxing destination, for wine lovers looking for a taste of the vineyard lifestyle, and for any special occasion.