Tohu Matangi Chardonnay 2024
top 10AS AN IMMIGRANT who found her true passion for wine here in New Zealand, I am constantly amazed by the influence of the land on the wine. Not in terms of soil and growth, but the inspiration that comes from the love of the land and the indigenous knowledge that we do not own the land but we care for it for future generations. These beliefs thrive in New Zealand, far more than I have witnessed in other countries that were colonised, including my home of Ireland.
The Māori beliefs as they connect to the land is one that I find deeply meaningful and incredibly beautiful. This Tohu Matangi (pronounced mar-tar-ngee) Chardonnay pays homage to the wind, the element that moves through the vines shaping their growth and character. The icon on the label represents the circle of life and the one constant: the winds of change. Mother Nature will decide and those of us on earth must be responsible and resilient in the face of the elements, to work with, not against the rhythms of the earth.
If there is one thing that this chardonnay does most definitely, it is that it whispers like the wind – but don’t mistake the hush for a lack of power. There is an immediate vibrance in the glass with a reserved reduction layered over fresh citrus and savoury notes on the nose. The palate is delicate and refined yet energetic and vibrant with the fruit held in a beautiful balance with the vivid chalky acid, lime and mineral palate and a zippy finish. This is a sophisticated wine that doesn’t need to shout loudly when it can say everything that needs to be said in a gentle, lithe whisper.
