2017 Matt Connell "Lowburn" Chardonnay Central Otago

Professional Reviews

Notes

At K&L we are always working tirelessly to direct-import the best of what New Zealand has to offer. We keep our ears to the ground looking for up-and-coming producers that are creating exciting wines that demonstrate a sense of place, quality and value. Matt Connell is an incredibly talented winemaker who has dedicated his career to crafting transcendent Pinot Noir. Having honed his skills winemaking at Elk Cove in Oregon and Akarua in New Zealand, Matt struck out on his own under his eponymous label, which has been seeing big scores and is quickly gaining recognition as the next big thing in New Zealand Pinot. Matt has always been dedicated to producing the most uncompromising, highest-quality wines as possible. I have no doubt that in a few years time his wines will be uttered in the same breath as other Central Otago top producers like Felton Road, Rippon or Mt. Difficulty. His Chardonnay is hand harvested and whole bunch pressed Chardonnay grapes were fermented in French oak (10% new) utilizing native and selected yeasts. Complete malolactic fermentation. Aged on the lees. (Thomas Smith, K&L New Zealand wine buyer)