Lake Chalice The Raptor Chardonnay

The creamy palate is threaded with a balancing acidity and reveals layers of soft vanilla, tropical passionfruit and mango with delicious flinty overtones on the finish.

Producer Note

Lake Chalice was established in 1989 with a vision of producing internationally recognised wines from the heart of the Marlborough region. New Zealand’s native falcon, the ‘Kārearea’, is proudly displayed on every bottle of Lake Chalice wine. Kārearea favour the remote mountains and foothills of the upper Awatere and Wairau valleys and these valleys are home to Lake Chalice’s three unique vineyard sites. Each vineyard has a diverse microclimate, biodiversity and terroir which are seamlessly translated into multi award winning wines by talented winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen. Taking a boutique approach she handcrafts parcels of fruit from single vineyards into elegant, aromatic, fruit driven wines and has garnered a global reputation of outstanding quality.

Vineyard

The grapes are sourced exclusively from mature vines within a single hectare vineyard block called the Reed Vineyard. The vines are a mixture of Burgundian Chardonnay clones; predominantly they are clone 95, with some Mendoza and some clone 15. The fruit from this block has become renowned for delivering crisp flinty flavours. The carefully selected fruit is hand-harvested in order pick some as whole bunches, for additional complexity when vinified.

Winemaking

The grapes were carefully selected and vinified with more than 80% from activated wild yeasts. Some grapes were added to the tank as whole bunches in order to add complexity. Fermentation took place in a selection of new and seasoned French oak barriques, followed by 10 months in French oak, where the wine was matured on its fine lees. Only the best casks were selected for the final blend.

Tasting Note

A full bodied Chardonnay with complex aromas of flint and ripe stone fruits, complemented by a subtle hint of mulled spice. The creamy palate is threaded with a balancing acidity and reveals layers of soft vanilla, tropical passionfruit and mango with delicious flinty overtones on the finish.

Serving Suggestion

An ideal match with creamy chicken dishes, risotto or scallops in a white wine sauce.

Grape

Chardonnay 100%