Winemaker Notes
A very smooth Staete Landt Chardonnay from a tiny section of our
vineyard deep in the Brancott Valley in Marlborough. We produce our ‘Josephine’ Marlborough
Chardonnay from 2 parcels on this single vineyard. The soils on this estate are a mixture of
rich loamy riverbed and slaty gravel riverbank; excellent for Chardonnay, producing intense
flavours and robust structure.
After handpicking, the grapes were carefully whole bunch
pressed. The juice was slowly fermented in a mixture of 10% new and 90% older French puncheons
(500 litre barrels). We used wild yeast for fermentation in 50% of the wine, which further added
complexity and mouthfeel. Following alcoholic fermentation the puncheons were stirred regularly
until the completion of malolactic fermentation. The ‘Josephine’ Chardonnay then ages and
matures in oak for a total of 15 months.
This Staete Landt ‘Josephine’ Chardonnay is one
of the best kept secrets of the Estate: full and round yet stylish, great texture and length,
this wine shows the perfect balance between fruit, acidity and oak integration. A whiff of sea
breeze, citrus fruit and cream on the nose, white peaches on the palate and with a mineral
aftertaste that lingers on. A truly great wine with a strong personalilty and European elegance,
showing the unique cool climate Marlborough vibrance.
