Corofin Brawn Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

Corofin Brawn Vineyard Chardonnay is an organically grown Marlborough Chardonnay from old Mendoza-clone vines close to the coast.

Powdery mildew hit Marlborough's organic vineyards hard across three seasons, and in 2020 Takaki Okada's Folium block was affected badly enough that no Corofin wine could be made from it. Mike Paterson turned instead to Ben Glover's organic Brawn vineyard at Dillon's Point, which had been impressing him for years. Sitting in the lee of the Wither Hills southeast of the Wairau Valley floor, Brawn lies on Kaiapoi silt loam over pea gravel, closer to the sea than any other site in the range. Its old Mendoza clone is now rare here, most of the old blocks having been pulled for Sauvignon. Thick skins give the extract and spice.

The more exuberant of the two single-vineyard Chardonnays this year: extra spice on the nose, then a mouth-coating palate of honey, wild fennel and yellow flowers with the saline, umami thread this block is known for. Serve at 12 degrees. Roast chicken, scallops, or a mushroom tart.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.