Seifried Nelson Chardonnay 2003 - Cellar Release

GOLD: International Chardonnay Challenge 2004, NZ
Silver: Bragato Wine Awards 2004, NZ

Vineyard: Seifried Rabbit Island Vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 22.5°Brix
Date of Harvest: 8 April 2003
pH of Wine: 3.43
T.A of Wine: 5.8g/L

The Vineyard

Our Rabbit Island vineyards are situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravely sandy loam, which marks the sites of kumara beds (Maori potatoes) 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 kilometres from the sea, which helps moderate summer temperatures.

Winemakers Note

The “hen and chicken” berries of the Mendoza clone of Chardonnay give full tropical flavours.  The grapes for this Chardonnay were grown adjacent to the winery. The fruit was harvested and bought 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 one year old American barriques. The wine completed fermentation in oak before undergoing malolactic fermentation. Following this the wine was left sitting on lees for 12 months before being racked from barrique, and prepared for bottling in mid July 2004.

Tasting Note

Delicious passionfruit and peachy flavours with well integrated sweet spicy toasty oak characters.  Long and smooth with a refreshing finish. Very elegant.