{"product_id":"settlement-poplars-vineyard-chardonnay-2023-marlborough-gi","title":"Settlement, 'Poplars Vineyard Chardonnay', 2023, Marlborough (GI)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'One-Liner'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRich but beautifully controlled Marlborough Chardonnay – ripe peach, citrus and toasted nuts with smoky oak, creamy texture and a bright mineral edge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBright golden yellow in the glass, with aromas of ripe peach, grapefruit and lemon layered with roasted nuts, oatmeal and a subtle smoky note. The palate is broad and textured, with generous stone fruit balanced by lively citrus acidity and a fine mineral streak. Wild fermentation and extended lees ageing bring creaminess and savoury complexity, while the oak remains beautifully integrated rather than dominating the fruit. Hints of toasted almond, spice and flint build through the middle. Long and energetic on the finish, with peach, citrus and smoky minerality lingering behind.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew Zealand\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarlborough GI\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSub-Region: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrancott Valley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape(s): \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e14%\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFriendly: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eOrganic\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Critics' Scores\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCameron Douglas MS – 94\/100\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Suckling – 92\/100\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eErin Larkin, Wine Advocate – 91\/100\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoplars Vineyard sits at the mouth of the Brancott Valley, on free-draining alluvial soils over a complex clay subsoil. Planted in 1992 entirely to Mendoza-clone Chardonnay, the site enjoys relatively low rainfall and requires very little irrigation, helping the mature vines produce concentrated fruit with a naturally flinty, mineral character. The vineyard began conversion to organic farming in 2009 and achieved full certification in 2012. For the 2023, Settlement hand picked and whole-bunch pressed the fruit before wild fermentation in barrel, followed by twelve months on the lees with just 15% new oak and a further six months in stainless steel. It is a serious, site-driven Chardonnay that combines Marlborough freshness with the texture and savoury complexity normally associated with far more elaborate winemaking.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect With... (click me for the recipe)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Meat\/fish: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hedleywright.co.uk\/blogs\/meat-recipes\/roast-chicken-with-thyme-garlic-and-crispy-potatoes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Roast Chicken with Thyme, Garlic and Crispy Potatoes\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoast Chicken with Thyme, Garlic and Crispy Potatoes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Vegetarian: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hedleywright.co.uk\/blogs\/vegetarian-recipes\/roast-cauliflower-with-tahini-lemon-and-toasted-cumin\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Roast cauliflower with tahini, lemon and toasted cumin\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoast cauliflower with tahini, lemon and toasted cumin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Vegan: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hedleywright.co.uk\/blogs\/vegan-recipes\/roast-squash-sage-and-hazelnut-galette-with-spiced-apple-chutney\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Roast squash, sage and hazelnut galette with spiced apple chutney\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoast squash, sage and hazelnut galette with spiced apple chutney\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hedley Wright Wine Merchants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57635293397365,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/hedleywright.co.uk\/products\/settlement-poplars-vineyard-chardonnay-2023-marlborough-gi","provider":"Hedley Wright Wine Merchants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}