{"product_id":"smith-sheth-cru-chardonnay-howell-vineyard-2020","title":"Smith \u0026 Sheth CRU Chardonnay Howell Vineyard 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmith \u0026amp; Sheth CRU Chardonnay Howell Vineyard 2020 is a striking New Zealand Chardonnay that balances richness, precision, and mineral freshness in equal measure. Made from over 20-year-old vines and crafted with a thoughtful blend of two clones from the same vineyard, it reflects both the depth of the site and the expertise of winemaker Steve Smith. The result is a wine with serious intensity, yet it remains refined and elegant throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMakuprofiili\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, it shows a bright, pale straw colour that hints at its freshness. The nose is layered and expressive, opening with citrus, oyster shell, and ripe stone fruit, then moving into more complex notes of brioche, melted butter, cashew nuts, and wild flowers.\n\nThe palate is beautifully silken, with fruit and freshness working in harmony rather than competing for attention. There is generous texture from barrel fermentation and ageing, but the wine stays poised and precise, finishing with a subtle saline edge that adds length and lift. This is a Chardonnay with excellent early appeal, though it has the structure to age gracefully for at least five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViininvalmistus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFruit comes from Howell Vineyard in Marlborough, where mature vines are farmed with a strong sustainability focus. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, and the whole bunches are pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels, 67% of which are new. The wine then spends 11 months maturing in barrel and is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving both texture and purity of flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRuoka \u0026amp; tarjoilu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Chardonnay is an excellent match for roast chicken, lobster, scallops, creamy pasta dishes, grilled fish, or poultry served with butter and herbs. It also pairs nicely with mushroom risotto and rich shellfish dishes. Serve slightly chilled, ideally around 10–12°C, and consider decanting briefly if you want to open up the wine’s aromatic complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTuottaja\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003enull\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Smith \u0026 Sheth","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49122467741938,"sku":"FW-7536","price":53.41,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/4810\/5202\/files\/cru-howell-chardonnay-no-vintage_med.png?v=1777476178","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.fi\/products\/smith-sheth-cru-chardonnay-howell-vineyard-2020","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}