Jules Taylor Marlborough Chardonnay 2021

Straw yellow. Intense aromas of nectarine and apple peel are interwoven with notes of brioche and toasted macadamia nuts. Jules describes the nose as “rolling in the hay at the end of Summer”! Just lovely on the palate:ripe, rich, tropical flavours are balanced by crisp citrus notes and refreshing acidity. Barrel aging has added complexity but this holds hands nicely with the fruit and meshes together into a silky palate and a delicious, lingering finish.

Jules Taylor Wines - What Jules looks for in a Chardonnay

The fruit for this wine came from the two beautiful vineyards in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys: Meadowbank Estate in the Taylor Pass and the Anderson Vineyard in the Brancott valley.

The grapes were harvested carefully by hand and machine then taken to the winery for fermentation using a variety of techniques. Whole cluster pressed portions went directly into French oak barrels for a wild ferment on high solids. Other portions were tank fermented and some were cold settled and partially tank fermented and then sent to barrels mid-ferment.

The yeast lees in the barrels were stirred frequently over a seven month period to add body and complexity, and the wine underwent full malolactic fermentation to add further complexity. After its extended nap in the barrels, the various parcels were blended, stabilised then bottled.