Winemakers Collection Nelson Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2013

Wine Analysis

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater and Rabbit Island Vineyards
Sugar at Harvest: 24.0°Brix
Date of Harvest: Early April 2013
pH of Wine: 3.54
T.A of Wine: 6.2g/L
Residual Sugar of Wine: Dry (<2g/L)

The Vineyard

The Brightwater vineyard was established in 2002 and contains just one hectare of Chardonnay (Mendoza clone). This has proved a good site for Chardonnay although only very limited fruit is harvested off such a tiny sub-block.

The Rabbit Island vineyard is stony and silty with a very gravelly sub surface. The ground is free draining, friable and easy to work, giving a light and intensely varietal crop. The Mendoza clone of Chardonnay, with “hen and chicken” bunches is no exception. 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 the lovely citrus and passionfruit flavours.

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 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 fermentation in oak before undergoing malolactic fermentation. During these fermentations the barrels were hand stirred every two weeks to build palate weight and structure. Following this the wine was left sitting on its yeast for a further 10 months before being racked from barrique and prepared for blending and bottling.

Tasting Note

The 2013 Seifried Winemakers Collection Barrique Fermented Chardonnay has rich full oak flavours to compliment ripe tropical stonefruit characters. The nose is intense and inviting, with scrummy fresh baked bread characters on the palate. Tree ripened summer peaches and nutty hazelnut dukkah notes are abundant and delicious. A long flavoursome finish lingers after the wine is gone.