2023 Mélange 'Surfing the Void' Chardonnay

A brand-new cuvee for Melange, this is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the BioGro Certified Brawn Vineyard, Lower Wairau Valley, Marlborough.

Hand harvested, the wine was 100% whole bunch pressed direct to two seasoned French oak demi-muids on full solids. Wine underwent wild fermentation with the aid of a pied du cuve (vineyard ferment starter) as well as full malo-lactic fermentation in barrel. One barrel was lees stirred 4-5 times to add texture & the other barrel was left undisturbed. The two barrels were then racked to stainless steel VC to be blended after 9 months in barrel & left to settle for another month. Bottled unfined & unfiltered with no SO2 additions added.

This is a boundary-pushing wine full of energy and tension. Pair with spicy fish or mushroom risotto.