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Grand Amateur Watchmaker Chardonnay 2017
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSome of the greatest discoveries throughout history have been made by those bold enough to challenge conventions and question the status quo. Grand Amateur is Sam Harrop's line of wines from sourced fruit around New Zealand, made in ways to make one question what they thought about NZ wine. This chardy comes from Hawkes Bay, and two clones, whole bunch pressed and finishing ferment in wood, a mix of old and new 225 litre French barrels, 40% new. The wine was stirred weekly for 6 weeks, then left until the following February when it was bottled. You can certainly feel the wood strident around the sides of this gently fuller chardonnay, bulging with lemon meringue, creme brûlée, verbena and whiffs of clove. The textural plumpness is well framed by the wood, and the whole will continue to merge and mellow with cellaring.Tasted: 12 October 2019Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| NZ | $39.00 | 750ml | NZ |
