Rabbit Island Nelson Chardonnay 2023

86 Points (4 Stars) - Wine Orbit, October 2023, New Zealand

Vineyard: Seifried Rabbit Island Vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 22.8°Brix
Date of Harvest: Mid March 2023
PH of Wine: 3.56
T.A of Wine: 6.8g/L
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L (dry)
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

The Rabbit Island vineyard is situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravelly sandy loam which is very free-draining. Ths vineyard ranges in age from six years to 32 years and is about 1.5 km from the sea, which helps moderate temperatures.

Traditionally Chardonnay is made in an oaked style, however, we are often asked: what does Chardonnay as a grape variety with no oak ageing taste like? This is it!

The Chardonnay for our 2023 Nelson Rabbit Island Chardonnay was picked in pristine health when late summer conditions persisted in to the autumn months. The grapes were then pressed, and the juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks to capture the natural tropical fruit characters of the grape variety, without influence from oak. The wine was blended, stabilised, and finally bottled in its youth capturing the fresh characters of this wine.