Chardonnay Josephine

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.