2022 Dicey Chardonnay

93 pts
A finely tuned Bannockburn Chardonnay – bright fruit, subtle oak and the crisp mineral finish that defines Dicey’s restrained, no-nonsense style.

Price:
Sale price$49.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Sourced from a few small, organically farmed Bannockburn blocks, this Chardonnay shows the Dicey brothers’ trademark mix of precision and restraint. The soils are classic Bannockburn schist and loess, giving fruit that naturally balances ripeness with mineral tension.

The 2022 season was steady and mild, letting the grapes hang long enough to build flavour without losing acidity. The fruit was pressed straight to barrel, fermented with native yeasts, and left on lees for texture, with only a light touch of oak to round it out.

It’s compact and clean, with citrus, stone fruit and a gentle savoury edge from the lees. The palate’s tight but not austere, finishing with that salty, mineral snap that makes good Central Otago Chardonnay so distinctive.

93 points - "Light straw with aromas of juicy peach, poached pear and citrus fruits with underlying hints of soft spice, clotted cream, white flowers, macadamia nuts, almond meal, vanillin oak and crushed stone. The flavours swell on the palate, a little squeak of phenolic texture joins in before the wine tightens, acidity kicking in before fading slowly with memories of spiced apple pastries, crème fraîche and nougat." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

93 points - "There’s real focus to this, with sliced Meyer lemons, lemon tart and hints of flint. Medium- to full-bodied with a phenolic texture and great length. Wonderful flavors and complexity. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling (James Suckling)

Viticulture
Described as a year when average growers shone and good growers excelled, the 2022 vintage will be remembered as near perfect. There was little frost or wind, a warm and wet start to the season, followed by a long, dry, hot spell in the middle and a cool, extended ripening period. Overall, it was a warm season producing small bunches with large, clean, and flavourful berries.
— Grower: James Dicey

Winemaker’s Notes
The Inlet Chardonnay was harvested in two tranches: first the 548 clone, followed by the B95 and 809 clones. Black Rabbit Mendoza was picked alongside the first Inlet clones. All parcels were foot-trodden, left overnight, and then whole-bunch pressed directly to barrel. Fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts and the wine remained unstirred until after malolactic fermentation in spring, at which point it was stirred weekly.

75% underwent malolactic fermentation and the wine was aged in 20% new oak puncheons. Bottled unfined and filtered in late March 2023.
— Caretaker: Matt Dicey

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country New Zealand
Region Central Otago
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 14.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2022
Closure Screw Cap

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