Seifried Nelson Chardonnay 2020

92 Points - Cameron Douglas MS, World of Wine, Winter 2022
91 Points (4.5 Stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, February 2022, New Zealand
90 Points - Bob Campbell MW, © 'The Real Review', therealreview.com
4 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide 2023, NZ

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater and Rabbit Island vineyards
Sugar at Harvest: 23.6°Brix
Date of Harvest: Mid March 2020
pH of Wine: 3.34
T.A of Wine: 5.5g/L
Residual Sugar of Wine: 1g/L (dry)
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

Our Brightwater vineyard is exceptionally stony with free-draining soils, which are 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.

Our Rabbit Island vineyard is situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravelly sandy loam, which is very free-draining. This vineyard is about 1.5 km from the sea, which helps moderate temperatures.

The ‘hen and chicken’ berries of the Mendoza clone of Chardonnay used in this blend give full tropical flavours. The fruit was harvested, brought to the winery and pressed immediately, then cooled for a 24-hour settling period. Following this, the juice was racked and warmed for inoculation.

Primary alcoholic fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks, with the young wine then being gravity fed into one, two and three-year-old French barriques. In spring 2020 the Chardonnay then underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel. Barrels were hand-stirred regularly to build palate weight and structure. The wine then sat on lees for a total of 13 months or so before being racked from barrique, blended and prepared for bottling.