The pinnacle of cool climate Chardonnay viticulture, an intensely flavoured wine in full bloom, made from a very strict selection of the finest parcels, assembled around a backbone of the highly prestigious, low yielding House Block. Produced only in years where the quality is deemed to be exceptional, Coldstream Reserve displays attractive cool climate characters of stonefruit and citrus. Oak plays an important role, but does not dominate. Secondary characters of barrel ferments and soil grape solids impart minerality, adding further layers of complexity.
The culmination of a strict selection process, where the quality of wine is without peer. In addition to the twenty year old House and G Blocks, Briarston Vineyard provides an outstanding resource of French Bernard clone, which adds elegance and length. Gentle handling practices, including whole bunch pressings are carried out, every parcel is treated to a course of barrel ferments which adds richness, texture and layers of complexity. Upon completion, components are matured ten months in a selection of seasoned and new French oak barrels, without any malolactic to maintain natural acidity, before assembling into the finished wine.
Pale straw, green hue. The nose shows attractive white peach, quince and citrus notes with underlying toasty oak and minerality. A tightly structured wine with fine acid line and good length. The palate exhibits attractive stonefruit and citrus combined with cashew nut barrel ferment characters. Flinty, minerally notes are evident in the background and will continue to develop as the wine ages.
