Description
“Chardonnay, too, reaches Burgundian levels of pristine complexity in the hands of producers such as Neudorf.” — David Williams, The Guardian UK 10 September 2015
“I have a thing for Kiwi Chardonnay. Its day will come. It doesn’t currently get the respect it deserves, but with wines like these from Neudorf … things will change.” Jamie Goode’s Wine Blog.
“I cannot think of another New Zealand wine producer that has been making top wines across their entire range as consistently as Neudorf over three decades. Chardonnay is the star with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc very close behind.” Bob Campbell MW
“One of New Zealand’s most admired producers. Tim and Judy Finn have a great track record.” Jancis Robinson MW, 2012
The pristine and spectacularly beautiful Nelson region in the south island of NZ and in particular the Clay Gravel Moutere Hills area receive lots of sun (more than 2300 hours a year) making it one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions a real bonus for such a cool climate region. Clear skies allow for rapid cooling at night, nurturing the slow development of flavours and a gradual reduction in fruit acids. This combination of climate and soil type produces white wines of concentration and texture, and rich savoury Pinot Noir with a fingerprint of textured minerally fruit acid.
Established in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn, Neudorf use sustainable practices and the winery is accredited under the Sustainable Winery NZ scheme, which Tim was instrumental in establishing back in the early 80’s. Winemaker Todd Stevens aim is always to allow the site to speak. Great wines have a basis of fruit concentration, length and sense of place – characters which can be formed only in the vineyard.
About this wine from the winemaker: “My 10th vintage as winemaker at Neudorf delivered a classically fulsome Moutere Chardonnay. A regal, modern and sophisticated wine. After 41 vintages we trust the process – mature vines, ancient soils and elegant winemaking. The results continue to be internationally renowned. Modern familiarity – oyster shell, apricots and yuzu are gracefully intertwined and come to a crescendo of complex power across the palate. Although intense, this chardonnay exudes restraint, poise and longevity. Todd’s fingerprint of gentle oak handling is celebrated in this cool climate, sophisticated and somewhat aristocratic chardonnay. Cellar with confidence, drink with pleasure.”
A wet start to the season followed by a dry, albeit warm spring and summer. February rains provided a challenge close to harvest, but a dry picking window allowed for disease pressures to be managed. A season producing wines of elegance, rather svelte in stature, and approachable.
Organically certified. 100% whole bunch press. 24 – 48 hour settling 100% Wild Yeast, High solid fermentation. 100% barrel fermentation – 15% new French Oak – medium toast. Maturation: 10 months on full lees with monthly battonage until completion of malo, followed by 3 months, on fine lees, in stainless steel tank.
97 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com “Taut, delicately vibrant wine with oyster shell, lime, lemon curd and spicy oak flavours with a strong and appealing saline influence. Impressive power and purity. Can be appreciated now but has a proven ability to become even more interesting with bottle age.”
96 points, Stephen Wong, The Real Review “Pale gold. Mild flinty reduction which peels back to reveal airy aromas of white flowers and icing sugar with spiced banana aromas. Complex yet subtle savoury aromas, ripe apricaot and cocoa rise and fall on the delicately perfumed nose. The palate is similarly ripe and soft with gently complex, accessible flavours and some late sappiness before tapering down to a pithy, fine-grained finish which is deceptively very long and smooth. A paradox of a wine, it is at once accessible with charming fruit but also contemplative and restrained; subtly concentrated with late mid-weight sappy flavours and elegant in a somewhat quiet way completely at easy with itself. Don’t let this zen-like wine deceive you with its subtlety, it is one for the long haul, but I have a feeling it will always remain elegant even as it gains weight and reveals its power.”
RRP $120 Our Special Price $115.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.