Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP - Villa Maria

A great Chardonnay from Marlborough with iconic aspirations: Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP - Villa Maria shows a gleaming lemon-yellow in the glass with fine golden reflections. Already on the first swirl, dense, multi-layered aromas rise up. Ripe melon and juicy nectarine meet citrus notes of grapefruit and lime. Added to this are notes of nougat, roasted hazelnut and a hint of vanilla from the noble oak maturation.

The nose experiences a rich interplay of fruit, spice and fine minerality. Behind the yellow stone fruit shimmer nuances of pineapple and ripe peach. Subtle floral notes appear delicately in the background. The use of oak reveals itself with hints of toast, nougat and a fine whiff of smoke. A cool, chalky impression reminiscent of wet stone underlines the origin in the higher, well-ventilated sites of the Keltern Vineyard.

On the palate, Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP - Villa Maria presents itself as powerful yet precise. The structure appears firm and elegant, carried by a pronounced but ripe acidity. Ripe melon and nectarine spread out creamily, citrus notes bring freshness and energy. The oak aromas are perfectly integrated. Nougat, vanilla, finely toasted bread and a hint of almonds provide depth and length.

The texture appears dense and silky. The body is considered full and forceful without heaviness. The acid structure gives the wine a clear line and keeps the rich fruit in balance. The finish is very long, leaving an impression of citrus notes, roasted nuts, subtle smokiness and a salty, mineral trace. A Chardonnay in an international top style that impressively expresses the character of Marlborough.

The wine comes from the famous Keltern Vineyard in Marlborough, one of the coolest and windiest sites in the region. The soils consist of stony alluvial deposits with a high proportion of gravel and fine clay. This terroir produces low yields and grapes with concentrated aromatics. The maritime climate with cool nights and sunny days provides for a long ripening period and complex aromas, while maintaining an exciting freshness.

In Marlborough, Chardonnay displays a fascinating combination of power and finesse. Ripe yellow fruit meets cool citrus freshness and clear minerality. Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP - Villa Maria stands firmly in this tradition. It appears fruit-driven and at the same time shaped by its site. The style is regarded as ripe, creamy and at the same time taut, with great depth and impressive length.

Typical aromas that connoisseurs discover in this Icon Chardonnay:

• Yellow fruits such as melon, nectarine and ripe peach
• Citrus notes of grapefruit, lime and a touch of lemon zest
• Nutty tones such as hazelnut and almonds
• Nougat, vanilla and fine toast from the oak barrel
• Light smokiness and cool, salty minerality

The wine is ideal for sophisticated moments and shines as a brilliant soloist. For orientation when choosing, this brief classification is helpful:

1. Premium Chardonnay with iconic character and depth
2. Powerful, dry white wine with ripe fruit and fine oak
3. Authentic Marlborough style with cool freshness and minerality
4. Excellent ratings, perfect for wine lovers and collectors

Decanter and James Suckling each award 95 points to the Icon Keltern Chardonnay. These high ratings emphasize the stylistic precision and the ambition to create one of New Zealand’s leading Chardonnays. The ageing potential is around nine years from the vintage, allowing for both early enjoyment and an exciting development in the bottle.

Production of Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP by Villa Maria

The grapes come exclusively from the Keltern Vineyard in Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island. This vineyard is located in a cooler part of the growing region, characterized by fresh winds and wide temperature differences between day and night. The soils are stony, rich in pebbles and interspersed with fine clay. They store warmth during the day and slowly release it at night, which promotes even ripening of the Chardonnay grapes.

The vines in the Keltern Vineyard produce low yields with highly concentrated berries. The winemakers at Villa Maria focus on careful canopy management and targeted pruning so that the grapes can ripen optimally. Harvesting is selective, mostly in the cool morning hours. Only perfectly ripe grapes make it to the cellar, where each lot is processed separately.

After the harvest, whole-bunch pressing is carried out gently. This preserves the fine acid structure and keeps unpleasant tannins from the skins to a minimum. The must runs clear and concentrated into the barrels. Fermentation takes place predominantly in French oak barrels, some of them new barriques. Fermentation temperatures are carefully controlled to keep the fruit aromas elegant and to ensure the oak never dominates.

A portion of the wine ferments spontaneously with the natural yeasts from the vineyard and the cellar. This increases complexity and lends the Chardonnay additional spicy depth. During maturation on the fine lees, regular bâtonnage is carried out. The winemakers gently stir up the lees, thus achieving a creamy texture, more fullness on the palate and a finer integration of the oak.

Barrel ageing lasts several months. During this time, notes of nougat, roasted nuts, vanilla and toast develop. The precise coordination of oak proportion, barrel size and maturation time keeps the character of the Keltern terroir in the foreground. A portion of the wine undergoes malolactic conversion. This rounds off the acidity and provides the typical creaminess in the Icon Keltern Chardonnay without sacrificing freshness.

Before bottling, the wine is gently clarified and filtered. The goal is always a maximally clear, expressive Chardonnay. The screw cap protects the finely drawn aromas and ensures stable development in the bottle. With this Icon wine, Villa Maria demonstrates the highest quality standards of the estate and presents a Chardonnay that unites style, terroir and craftsmanship.

Serving recommendations for Icon Keltern Chardonnay in GP by Villa Maria

The Icon Keltern Chardonnay proves to be a versatile partner for fine cuisine. Its full-bodied character and precise acidity accompany refined fish dishes. Grilled turbot with lemon butter, pan-fried skrei or salmon fillet on fennel vegetables are an excellent match. The fine roasted notes of the wine harmonize beautifully with lightly roasted vegetables.

This Chardonnay also makes a strong statement alongside seafood. Scallops on pea purée, grilled prawns or lobster with herb butter meet perfect harmony. The creamy texture of the wine complements creamy sauces and confidently accompanies dishes with butter and delicate seasoning.

In poultry cuisine, impressive food pairings succeed with the Icon Keltern Chardonnay. Poultry in cream sauces, corn-fed chicken with lemon thyme or veal medallions with light sauces are a great match. The wine also provides a dense play of aromas with truffle pasta, porcini risotto or tagliatelle with cream sauces.

Vegetarian gourmets can turn to dishes with mushrooms, pumpkin or root vegetables. Baked pumpkin with rosemary, wild mushroom risotto or vegetable gratin with a cheese crust gain particular depth from the wine. Mature soft cheese and semi-hard cheeses with a nutty character bring out the nougat and nut notes of the Chardonnay elegantly.

As an aperitif, the wine makes an impressive appearance at sophisticated occasions, especially in combination with canapés, puff pastry snacks or fine fish rillettes. At a festive table, it accompanies multi-course menus from the first course to the main dish. As a gift for wine lovers or for a special evening with friends, this Icon Chardonnay also makes a clear statement.

The ideal serving temperature lies between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. If served too cold, the complex aromatics appear restrained. In large Burgundy glasses, the wine unfolds its full breadth. A brief decanting intensifies the aromas of melon, nectarine, nougat and citrus notes. A few years of bottle age add further nuances of honey, nuts and brioche. In this way, a great Chardonnay from New Zealand emerges that will provide enjoyment for a long time.

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