Aotea Nelson Méthode Traditionnelle N.V. Christmas Gift Box

Awards

TROPHY - “Champion Sparkling Wine”, Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2017, NZ
GOLD - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2017, NZ
95 POINTS (5 Stars) - Bob Campbell MW, © The Real Review, September 2020
90 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, March 2017

Wine Analysis

Variety: 50% Pinot Noir / 50% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Seifried Cornfield and Brightwater Vineyards
Sugar at Harvest: 19.4°Brix
Date of Harvest: Early March 2011
Disgorgement Date: September 2016
T.A of Wine: 5.8g/L
Residual Sugar: 1g/L (Brut)
Alc.: 12.5% vol.
Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes 

Winemakers Note

"In 1971 my father Hermann Seifried arrived in New Zealand with a dream of making great wines. He and my mother Agnes pioneered modern winemaking in the Nelson region, planting the first vines and in 1976 producing their first wines. Now, 40 years later we celebrate their vision and the arrival of the next generation, our children, who are growing up in the vineyard and winery. We hope that they too will share the passion for crafting fine wines.

Our Aotea Méthode Traditionnelle is a very special wine. Two parcels of fruit were hand picked at ideal ripeness for this classical Méthode Traditionnelle Cuvée. The Pinot Noir is from our Brightwater Vineyard while the Chardonnay comes from our Cornfield Vineyard. The blend is 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The grapes were hand harvested during the cool early hours of the day and brought to the winery quickly for processing. The free-run juice from the press was cold settled overnight before being racked, warmed and inoculated. A smooth ferment progressed to dryness, followed by malolactic fermentation. The young wine was then prepared for bottle fermentation and aged on lees for an extended period. In 2016 the wine was finished and released to celebrate our 40th vintage at Seifried’s."
 
Chris Seifried, Wine Maker.

The Vineyard

The Cornfield Vineyard is situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravelly sandy loam, which marks the sites of Maori kumara beds (sweet potato) prior to European settlement in the early 1800’s. The Maori transferred and spread fine gravel and sand over the land to provide suitable soils for their kumara plantings. Scrub was burned to give ash and charcoal which increased soil fertility and gave characteristic topsoil. This fertility is now considerably reduced due to modern farming. The soils are however, very sandy and free draining. The water table is relatively high ensuring adequate underground water. These vineyards are about 1.5 kilometers from the sea which helps moderate summer temperatures.

The Brightwater vines are grown in an extremely stony area of the vineyard where water and nutrient levels are low. This helps us to restrict the plants vigour and to crop at low levels. Our Brightwater Vineyard is situated 15km from the coast and is sheltered from the south by the Richmond ranges. The ‘soil’ is a combination of rocks and boulders which is very hard on the farm equipment but vital for holding the warmth of Nelson’s sun and for ripening the grapes. 

Tasting Note

The Aotea Méthode Traditionnelle has a gorgeous fine mousse which persists in the glass.  The nose has grapefruit, warm brioche and buttered toast notes and the palate is luxurious and generous with full biscuity shortbread notes and a crisp, lasting finish.

“A blend of chardonnay and pinot noir with at least four years en tirage. Impressively yeasty Methode saline, oyster-shell, ginger, toasted nut and citrus flavours. An ethereal texture and lengthy finish complete the picture. Very impressive.”

- 95 Points, Bob Campbell MW, © The Real Review, September 2020

"Totally charming and attractive bouquet with a fine balance between fruit, yeast autolysis and complexity; aromas of lemon, apple, grapefruit and white peach, warm bready, yeasty feel and decent complexity. On the palate - crisp, fresh and dry; flavours of apple and lemon then a light biscuit note, decent mousse attack and a dry finish."

- 90 Points, Cameron Douglas MS, March 2017