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.
Gold Medal, 2020 NZ Organic Wine Awards
Winestate Magazine
Ripe stone fruit aromas are joined by an exotic note of ground cumin and nutmeg. Firm tangy acidity keeps the flavours in check and leads to a bright vivid citrussy finish.
89pts Real Review, Bob Cambell MW
Moderately weighty and flavoursome chardonnay with apple, citrus, grapefruit, white peach, gingernut, bran biscuit and spicy oak characters. Fruit sweetness is balanced by fine, drying tannins
94pts Real Review Bob Cambell
Rich, flavoursome, organically-grown chardonnay with grapefruit, pear, citrus, mineral, bran biscuit and hazelnut flavours. Weighty, textural wine with character and intensity. An impressive chardonnay
4 stars - Winestate Magazine Micheal Cooper (MW)
Youthful, single-vineyard Wairau Valley wine, fully barrel-fermented. Mouthfilling, slightly toasty and buttery, with strong grapefruit and peach flavours, fresh acidity and very good depth and potential
90+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
The 2010 Chardonnay is scented of white peaches, spiced apple slices and cashews with subtle compliments of cedar and meal. Medium to full-bodied and nicely poised in the mouth, it has a lovely, satiny texture and a long, savory finish. Drink it now to 2016+.
4.5 stars, Winestate Magazine (Michael Cooper MW)
Tight, elegant, single-vineyard wine, priced sharply. Fragrant bouquet, with barrel-ferment and indigenous yeast notes. Weighty, slightly creamy palate, with strong, grapefruit-like flavours, balanced acidity and finely integrated oak.
5 stars, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
A beautifully maturing Chardonnay, the complex bouquet shows stone fruit, citrus, cream and nutty oak aromas, leading to a concentrated palate that's creamy and rounded, backed by superbly integrated acidity. The wine is stylish and great drinking. At its best: now to 2016.
5 stars, Raymond Chan
Full and complex nose, solidly packed with deep aromas of ripe stonfruits and citrus fruits and layers of buttery, nutty, barrel-ferment elements. Bold flavours of yellow stonefruits, nuts, butter and cream intermingle with layers of toasty oak. A bold and powerful Chardonnay with ripe fruit and complex oak.
4 stars Bob Campbell MW
87 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
4 stars, Winestate Magazine (Michael Cooper MW)
91pts Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
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.