Garde & Morris Reserve Organic Chardonnay 2020

Minerality that supports the fruit

First appearance in Japan! A wonderfully harmonious Chardonnay

To be honest, my encounter with this Chardonnay was a pleasant surprise .

When purchasing our exclusive imported wines this time, the most important thing for us was the quality of the Sauvignon Blanc. So, when it came to other white wines, we were only thinking, "If there's something good, we'll buy it." However, when we decided on Garde & Morris' Sauvignon Blanc as our exclusive product, we tasted their Reserve Chardonnay as well, and we were surprised.

Very high quality!

The wine has a typical Marlborough fruity flavour with a hint of acidity, but is supported by a strong hint of oak in the background! I felt it was a well-balanced and wonderfully refined Chardonnay .

This time we purchased the Black Label, which is a "reserve" wine made from grapes from old vines.

Chilling it brings out the sharp notes, while warming it brings out the mellow oak flavor. This highly refined Chardonnay, which shows off a variety of different flavors in one bottle, is making its debut in Japan.

Cultivation and brewing

2020 was an ideal season, sunny and dry. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the grapes were of the highest quality ever. The mild autumn weather allowed the grapes to ripen to perfection before being harvested.

After harvest, the grapes were handled very gently and lightly pressed. The juice was left overnight in stainless steel tanks before being transferred to French oak barrels in a cloudy state. Fermentation with wild yeasts and full malolactic fermentation were followed by 12 months of sur lie aging. From old-vine clones such as Mendoza and CL95, the result is a Chardonnay with rich, complex flavors. It is expected to continue to evolve over the next decade.

Tasting

The appearance is yellow gold, and the aroma is fragrant, reminiscent of pie pastry, butterscotch, and almond croissants, with nuances of stone fruit and citrus.

The palate is medium-full-bodied. Ripe fruit notes of nectarine and peach are complemented by the refreshing aroma of grapefruit and citrus peel. Flavors of vanilla and toast are added, creating a well-balanced blend of fruit and oak. The palate is creamy and smooth. The acidity delicately supports the overall flavor, leaving a solid mineral finish .

Pairing

It goes well with butter-sautéed fish, as well as Japanese dishes.

• Butter-sauteed salmon
• Seafood Risotto
• Grilled salted sea bream
• Grilled silver cod in Kyoto style
• White fish tempura

It goes well with Western dishes using butter and cream, as well as Japanese dishes with dashi and citrus flavors. You can enjoy it freely according to the meal you have at your table: chill it for a crisp taste and pair it with seafood, or heat it up and pair it with chicken dishes or stewed vegetables.

Customer testimonials

The feedback I got when I served it at the counter at Bokumo was...

• "This Chardonnay is top-notch! It's the best I've had this year."
• "There is a hint of oak, but it's a little subtle. The balance is just right."
• "It has a refreshing citrus flavor, so for a moment I thought it was Sauvignon Blanc."
• "Dry and complex flavor. It's a bargain at this price."

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The appeal of this wine lies in its "beautiful harmony of fruit, barrel, and acidity, and its depth, which allows it to change its expression in just one bottle."

About the Winery "Garde & Morris"

Ben Morris and Frida Gard are a family-run boutique winery with a unique dual winemaking structure in both New Zealand and Sweden. Their handcrafted wines are highly acclaimed in Sweden's finest restaurants and state-run wineries.

Founding background and history

Winemaker Ben Morris was born in New Zealand and studied organic winemaking at Lincoln University. After graduating, he gained experience as a "flying winemaker" in France and California, before moving to Sweden with his wife Frida in 2006 to launch his own brand.

Frida, a native of Sweden, leads sales and distribution in the Swedish market, and the winery's name, Gard, comes from her surname, reflecting their partnership.

Cultivation and winemaking policy

In terms of cultivation, we partner with small, excellent grape growers across New Zealand and grow grapes using a natural approach that minimizes the use of pesticides and chemicals.

In brewing, we aim to make natural wines with minimal human intervention in order to bring out the unique characteristics of the terroir and grape varieties to the fullest.

Sustainability and Cultural Context

Environmental considerations and sustainable production are key principles at Gard & Morris.

By cultivating in accordance with organic farming methods and thoroughly eliminating unnecessary additives in brewing, we produce high-quality wine while reducing our environmental impact.

This winery, run by Ben from New Zealand and Frida from Sweden, truly serves as a bridge between the two countries.

This wine, which combines the best of both cultures, pairs beautifully with Swedish cuisine and is highly acclaimed by local restaurants.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Gardo & Morris Reserve Organic Chardonnay 2020

item	Content
Winery Name	Gard & Morris
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape varieties	Chardonnay
Vintage	2020
Alcohol content	13.0%
capacity	750ml
others	Biogro Certified Sustainable Certified FSC® certified
remarks	screw cap