Aotea Nelson Chardonnay 2019

Trophy - Colin Harrison Memorial Trophy for Top Nelson Chardonnay
94 Points - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout, March 2021
92 Points - Bob Campbell MW, © The Real Review, therealreview.com
Silver - AWC Vienna, 2020

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater vineyard
Date of Harvest: Mid March 2019
Sugar at Harvest: 23.6°Brix
pH of Wine: 3.36
T.A of Wine: 5.2g/L
Residual Sugar: dry <1g/L
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

Our Brightwater vineyard lies about 15 km from the sea (10 km from the winery) and is nestled under the Richmond Ranges on the southern end of the Waimea Plains. The temperature at this site fluctuates more than any of our other vineyards due to its distance from the coastline. The vineyard is exceptionally stony with free-draining soils, which is very hard on farm equipment. The large stones, however, are vital for holding the warmth of the Nelson sun and for ripening the grapes. Lively fruit characters are evident in fruit harvested from this block.

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 12 months before being racked from barrique and prepared for bottling.