Winemakers Collection Nelson Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2017

Awards

4 Stars - Michael Cooper, ‘New Zealand Wines 2020’
michaelcooper.co.nz - Nov19

Wine Analysis

Vineyard: Seifried Rabbit Island Vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 22.8°Brix
Date of Harvest: Late March 2017
pH of Wine: 3.46
T.A of Wine: 6.9g/L
Residual Sugar of Wine: dry
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

The Vineyard

This single vineyard Chardonnay comes from the stony soils of our Rabbit Island vineyard in the heart of Nelson’s fruit growing district, and on the same property that is home to the Seifried winery. The ground is free draining, friable and easy to work, giving a light and intensely varietal crop. The canopy was extensively leaf plucked during the summer while the grapes were developing, allowing light and air movement around the fruit zone and helping to develop lovely citrus and passionfruit flavours.

Winemakers Note

The ‘hen and chicken’ berries of the Mendoza clone of Chardonnay give full tropical flavours. Fruit was harvested and brought to the winery where it was immediately pressed and cooled for a 24 hour settling period. Following this the juice was racked and warmed before inoculation. Once the ferment was active it was gravity fed to new, one and two year old French barriques. The wine completed primary alcohol fermentation in oak before undergoing malolactic fermentation. During these alcoholic fermentations the barrels were hand stirred periodically to build palate weight and structure. Following this the wine was left sitting on its yeast lees for a further 11 months before being racked from barrique and prepared for bottling.

Tasting Note

Our 2017 Winemakers Collection Nelson Barrique Fermented Chardonnay is an intense rich style of Chardonnay, with only a dozen or so stand-out barrels chosen by our winemakers to go into this reserve blend. The Chardonnay has ground almond and fresh brioche aromas. The palate is finely textured with layers of oak and a soft creamy mid-palate followed by a thread of cool-climate acidity, leaving a lasting finish. Enjoy in its youth or let it develop over the coming few years.

“This is typically a bold style, concentrated and creamy, with loads of flavour... Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with strong stone-fruit and spice flavours, toasty oak, good complexity, fresh acidity and obvious potential; best drinking 2021+”

Michael Cooper, ‘New Zealand Wines 2020’ 
michaelcooper.co.nz - Nov19