DUNNOLLY ESTATE OF WAIPARA RELEASES 2012 CHARDONNAY
Dunnolly Estate Wines is excited to release its 2012 Chardonnay today. Following in the Dunnolly tradition of producing high quality, single vineyard, artisan wines the 2012 Chardonnay is set to follow the success of previous vintages.
‘We’re confident that our 2012 Chardonnay will delight the market and continue to affirm our reputation as producers of wines of the highest quality’, said viticulturist Peter Parish, ‘our 2011 Chardonnay received a Silver Medal at the Bragato Wine Awards and excellent reviews, and as a result has now fully sold out’.
‘The palate is elegant and feminine. Light citrus flavours with a hint of biscuit. This combination of complex fruit flavours enables this lightly oaked Chardonnay to be shared wonderfully with food or as an aperitif,’ say winemaker Nicky Parish of the wine.
Winemaking
The 2012 Chardonnay was harvested when the fruit started to display flavours such as white nectarine, lemon and lime zest and refined acid balance. Harvested in the early hours of the morning to preserve freshness the fruit was dejuiced to stainless steel and French barriques. The juice was split into three different batches allowing the winemaker to use various yeasts strains to enable the fruit to express the Dunnolly Estate terroir and add complexity to the subsequent wine. Each batch was lees stirred to add texture and weight.
The Chardonnay went through full malo-lactic fermentation and remained in oak for nine months. The best portions were blended into the Dunnolly Estate Single Vineyard 2012 Chardonnay.
Climatic Conditions
Bud burst occurred the week of 25 September 2011 in mild conditions followed by first leaf occurring first week of October 2. Flowering commenced the first week of December again in near perfect conditions but the conditions deteriorated in the latter part of December; as such canopy growth was not as vigorous as in 2010.
Verasion started 20 February 2012 in moist and overcast conditions and the grapes were harvested on 27 April 2012 during the early morning.
Harvest Date April 27, Clone 6, °Brix 23.3, pH 3.51, TA 9.2, RS 2.3, Cropping Level 4.9 T/ HA
Availability
Dunnolly Estate wines are available at fine wine outlets across New Zealand and directly from the Dunnolly Estate website. The 2012 Chardonnay will be in stores from 25 April 2013. For a full list of resellers refer to:
https://dunnolly.co.nz/
Media Resources and Opportunities
Peter Parish will be in Auckland week commencing 6 May 2013 as is available for tastings.
To request a sample for review, contact Peter Parish.
Download high-resolution images including label, bottle and Dunnolly Estate Wines profile and recipe here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wj219ympsrx7a0u/AAB-zDrk5ylXCw-ajjdU87jra
Contact Details
Peter Parish | 021 614 694 | wines@dunnolly.co.nz
www.dunnolly.co.nz | www.facebook.com/dunnolly | www.twitter.com/dunnolly
About Dunnolly Estate Wines
Dunnolly Estate is situated in the stunning Waipara Valley, approximately 50 kms North from Christchurch. The Waipara Valley is one of New Zealand’s leading viticulture regions with more than 80 vineyards, producing many of the worlds leading wines.
The Waipara Valley is characterised by dry, hot summers and low rainfall, balanced with a cold and crisp winter climate, allowing optimal ripeness and fullness of flavour. Its terroir is similar in some respects to Burgundy-France. The Dunnolly Estate Vineyard is family owned and managed by Peter Parish. It produces both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals with our first vines planted in 1995. For more information visit http://www.dunnolly.co.nz/ or contact us directly.