{"product_id":"2024-whitehaven-single-vineyard-series-fossil-block-riverside-chardonnay","title":"2024 Whitehaven Single Vineyard Series Fossil Block Riverside Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003e[[Description]]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTE\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhitehaven’s single vineyard range of wines speak to the importance of terroir in creating unique, premium quality wines, and allow us to showcase outstanding, smaller parcels of fruit identified by our winemakers each vintage. Reflecting the exclusive nature of these wines, each bottle is individually numbered. ‘Fossil Block’ is the name of the vineyard block where fruit for this wine is sourced – named for the ancient Awatere river fossils found at the site. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe have used a lightweight bottle to lessen this wine’s impact on the environment.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003eColour \/ Appearance: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003ePale-straw yellow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma \/ Bouquet: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eThe wine possesses a unique aromatic profile, reflecting where it is grown – the essence of \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e. Lifted and refined, with floral characteristics, white stone fruit and subtle crystalline, flinty and earthy undertones. \u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eConcentrated yet delicate, a thread of mineral salinity, reminiscent of river stones, runs through the palate. The distinct mineral structure supports complex stone fruit and citrus flavours. Vibrant acidity carries the wine to a long, flinty finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellaring: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Enjoy now for its freshness and purity, or cellar for 5-7 years to reveal richer, more complex flavours and a silky texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Match: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eThe wine’s vibrant acidity and mineral backbone pair seamlessly with fresh seafood such as oysters, seared scallops or simply grilled fish.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eThe textural depth of the palate \u003c\/span\u003ewould also\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003e compliment roasted chicken \u003c\/span\u003edishes\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003e, creamy risotto, or soft-ripened cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"descriptionLeft\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lightly chilled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWINE ANALYSIS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13.5%\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResidual Sugar: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDry\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitratable Acidity: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e5.6 g\/L\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.25\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/2174\/8851\/files\/SWNZ_Logo_4512a1df-c800-4dd1-9b30-8c36a59e3e14_480x480.jpg?v=1661821978\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/2174\/8851\/files\/AMW-logo_513e0ff4-7a04-4465-a40a-3006c4ced97d_480x480.jpg?v=1661905574\" alt=\"\" width=\"74\" height=\"49\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e[[\/Description]]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e[[Details]]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVITICULTURE \u0026amp; VINIFICATION\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Date: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e17th March 2024\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Growing:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eThe Fossil Block Chardonnay comes from a small 0.23-hectare parcel of Chardonnay (clone 95) planted nearly 20 years ago beside the Awatere River at Whitehaven’s Tussocks vineyard. The site’s fluvial soils are rich with oceanic fossil material, inspiring the wine’s name and contributing a refined mineral character to the palate.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003ePruned to two canes and naturally low yielding, the block has become a favourite for consistently producing fruit which is distinct and compelling.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClimate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eUnlike the previous two years, the growing season leading into the 2024 vintage began after a dry winter, with the soil water balance in deficit. Fewer inflorescences generally and then a protracted flowering window in November and December, resulted in poor fruit set and fewer berries per bunch than the average in most areas. Dry conditions persisted for the duration of the growing season, minimising disease threats and resulting in clean fruit at harvest. A spell of warm weather through late December and January, in combination with the lighter crop, resulted in a rapid physiological advancement against the long-term average.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eFortuitously, the headwaters of the Wairau and Awatere river systems received enough rain to keep irrigation schemes open through the season and into harvest, at which point a return to cool, crisp days became the norm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\" style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eThe fruit was hand\u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eharvested in the cool of the morning and whole\u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003ecluster pressed, with the free run juice carefully separated from the heavier pressings. After a brief settling of less than 10 hours, the juice was racked with all light solids retained\u003c\/span\u003e,\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003e to contribute palate weight and texture.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eFermentation began in stainless steel tank with cultured yeast\u003c\/span\u003e,\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003e before being transferred midway to seasoned 500L French oak puncheons\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003eNo new oak was used, ensuring the wine’s restrained character and mineral thread. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and matured for 11 months in oak on lees, followed by a further 4 months in tank. Bottled with no fining \u003c\/span\u003eor filtering\u003cspan lang=\"EN-AU\"\u003e to preserve integrity.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e[[\/Details]]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e[[Accolades]]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eACCOLADES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eThe debut 2024 vintage (*****) is a distinctive, refined wine, hand-picked in the inland Awatere Valley.  Fermented and aged for 11 months in French oak puncheons, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.  Bright, light lemon\/green, it is mouthfilling, subtle and finely textured, with lovely delicacy and depth of well-ripened, peachy, citrusy flavours, finely integrated biscuity and toasty oak, balanced acidity, a slightly creamy note, and notable harmony and length.  Already delicious, it should be at its best 2028+. \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Cooper ONZM, 5 stars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eFruit is from the Tussocks vineyard in Awatere Valley and therefore displays those pretty blush nectarines and ruby grapefruit zest. Some two-tone strawberries and pineapple skin. The fruit is ripe but vibrating with energy and zing, the palate moves into soft, whipped meringue and cashew butter. It's a coordinated marriage of stunning fruit, crafted oak and creamy texture. A real wine of merit. This will age beautifully. \u003cstrong\u003eHalliday Wine Companion, 95 Pts (Special Value Rosette)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eA lovely example, light and refreshing bouquet and palate of citrus, mandarin, some pith and peel then a mineral and gentle saline quality. Crisp and dry with a decent weight and satin mouthfeel. Fine fruit tannins and layer of wood spice and lees, a Chablis-ien idea comes to mind. Well made with best drinking from day of purchase through 2030. \u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 93 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eA taut, restrained and chalky wine, built on a frame of saline acidity and long lemon peel, grapefruit pith flavours. There is a finesse to its light-bodied length. This can be enjoyed now for tangy refreshment or given some time in bottle to develop toasty, savoury complexity. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Real Review, 90 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e[[\/Accolades]]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whitehaven Wines Company Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Bottle","offer_id":43930853998707,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Case (6 Bottles)","offer_id":43930854031475,"sku":null,"price":270.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/2174\/8851\/files\/WhitehavenFossilblockforwebsite.jpg?v=1758661381","url":"https:\/\/whitehaven.co.nz\/products\/2024-whitehaven-single-vineyard-series-fossil-block-riverside-chardonnay","provider":"Whitehaven Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}