Nanny Goat Single Vineyards Queensberry Chardonnay 2020

Nanny Goat is a Central Otago winery known best for their Pinot Noir but their Chardonnay is also exceptional. Its name derives from the fact that much of the country is rough, dry, mountainous and desolate – seemingly suitable only for goats. Apparently, the brand’s owner, Aussie John Valmorbida, was climbing up to a hilltop restaurant near Queenstown when the goat idea struck him. It is rather appropriate.

Hand picked and whole bunch pressed to stainless steel tanks before being mixed and transferred to 500L French oak puncheons (25% new) with high solids. The wine is then left to ferment naturally with occasional lees stirring to enhance palate weight and texture. The wine underwent 90% malolactic fermentation, softening the palate yet retaining a fine vein of acidity for balance on the palate.

Light, bright yellow colour. Creamy lees, cashew nut, lemon and lime aromas. The palate adds in more lemon and other citrus touches, the profile fine and intense, piercing and linear, with terrific purity, penetration and finesse, and a core of fruit sweetness. A very smart chardonnay. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 11 August, 2021, 95 Points

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal -  Chardonnay
Country - New Zealand
Region - Central Otago 
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%