2024 Oak Aged Chardonnay Les Argelieres Languedoc

Made to exacting specifications, "Les Argelieres" is a unique range of modern, fruity varietal wines from the Languedoc, made with the aim of showing the elegance, subtlety and perfect varietal 'signature' of each grape variety as planted in the warmth of Southern France. This ripe and tropical fruit-laden Chardonnay shows how well the noble Chardonnay grape can blend and fuse with toasty oak, from grapes grown on cooler hill sites and with a yield that is limited so as to express the buttery, golden apple and creamy characters that this grape is known for. Almost New World in character, but with layers of complex minerality and freshness.

Vinification: Ripe grapes are picked at optimum time, with sugar and acidity crucial. The grapes are picked by hand, and pressed using a soft pneumatic press to minimise bruising and over extraction. The juice is cool settled for 2 days, then fermented in steel thermo-regulated tanks using natural yeasts for around 23 days, before a portion is racked into used and new French oak with a high degree of toast to bring rich buttery, toasty, vanilla notes to the finished wine. The acidity is adjusted to allow for any variation and the wine bottled after ageing on lees in tank

Tasting note: Shimmering gold in the glass, aromas of ripe apples and dainty hints of vanilla and nuts with a buttery note. Dense and velvety on the palate but ever so fresh with a long finish.

Food match: Great to drink with nibbles or started - hummus and grilled flatbread.