Chardonnay
75cl * Vegan * Organic * 13.5% ABV * Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is New Zealand’s sunniest wine region and has largely escaped mass production winemaking thanks to its isolated setting at the northern tip of the South Island. Pioneer founders Tim and Judy Finn founded Neudorf, one of the area’s top boutique wineries, here in the late 1970s in the Moutere sub-region. In the years that followed, they experimented with different varieties to see which would work best in the moisture-rich clay soils, but it was Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that have propelled them to renown.
Organics are ‘the very heart of Neudorf’, and the winemaking team’s desire to tread gently is reflected in every decision they make. All Moutere blocks are either certified or in conversion and the winery is solar-powered. Neudorf’s commitment to sustainability continues with a number of green initiatives in place, from switching to lightweight bottles, to composting all winery and food waste, to using a flock of sheep to compost, mow and fertilise their vineyards. The winery is also part of the ‘Family of Twelve’, a group of New Zealand winemakers who are determined to maintain individuality and character in their wines.
Rosie's block is situated a mile from Neudorf's home vineyard and is slightly more elevated than that site. This site is considered the younger sibling to that Home vineyard but the wine has a wonderful complexity and flinty character only found from this site.
Lemon and apple come to the fore, the classic notes of cooler site. The lemon is delicious and can be picked up in different way like lemon zest or lemon sorbet. But its rounded and with a weight of richness to it. A judicious use of oak frames this wine but in no way dominates. It affords the wine good body but characters such as a little spice and perhaps a savoury hint like nougat or nuts. It has an elegant and balanced finish.
95 Points, Bob Campbell MW, June 2023: 'Mellow, silken-textured Chardonnay with lemon curd, grapefruit/citrus, lemon zest, wet river stone, lanolin and subtle oak flavours. Multi-layered wine with an appealing texture and underlying power. Has cellaring potential but can certainly be appreciated in its youth.'