It’s not #ChardonnayDay and we don’t have a Chardonnay for you to drink…yet.
But sometime in early 2021, we will have.
Vintage 2020 marked the first harvest of our Chardonnay. It’s tucked away, wild yeast kicking off the ferment and it’s bubbling away as it rests in its barrel of french oak.
“I never jumped on the ABC bandwagon, but also found an invigorated longing for aromatic whites kept my Chardonnay desires muted. Like all good things over the last 5 years I have really found myself digging in and enjoying Chardonnay more and more — especially as the flabby style gave way to leaner, sleeker and funkier styles. I love what Central has to offer in the way of Chardonnay, citrus, touch of riper stone fruits, texture, linearity, definition - all packaged as you would want it packaged.”
— Matt Dicey, wine maker, Chardonnay convert.
Matt’s go-to Chardy is;
“Tolpuddle is a long time favourite from Tassie, a touch more ripeness but some lovely lines and sleek features with a hint of familiarity. Deliriously delicious.”
“Buttery oaky absolute monsters? Austere smelly old socks? What a broad spectrum... Chardy is all about finding the happy medium for me. Historically in Central Otago its not always been a wine that speaks highly of place but more of winemaking style. Well it was.... with the newer clones that we have planted, we’re looking to find a Chardonnay that tells the story of Bannockburn without having to be muscled into a shoebox. It’s still early on the journey but it should be good fun looking to find the way.”
— James Dicey, grape grower, Chardonnay (sans the shoebox)
James’ go-to Chardy is;
“Personal favourite - Greystone. Expressive, textural, balanced, long... nailed it.”
There you have it. You’ll be drinking balanced, flinty, defined Dicey Bannockburn Chardonnay with us this time next year. If you want to get your sticky mittens on a bottle as soon as it’s released, sign up to our newsletter to keep one of those sticky fingers firmly on the pulse.
NB: this isn’t our release video (although it should be) but we do feel an intense connection with all the Chardonnay admiration seen here.