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Single Vineyard
Chardonnay

Auntsfield continues the proud heritage of Marlborough’s first vineyard and winery established in 1873.

Our Single Vineyard wines are made from grapes grown at Auntsfield Estate. Each wine shows the distinctive characteristics of ripeness, texture and minerality – qualities unique to the ancient Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils of the vineyard.

Auntsfield produces Chardonnay with finesse, restraint, honed focus and a textured mineral structure. Only the best fruit is used with the resulting wine showing a real sense of place that showcases the mineral structure of the old clay soils of the vineyard

TASTING NOTE:

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA:  Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of peach skin, mandarin peel, and lemon tart, integrated with brioche and apricot nougat aromas from the French oak influence.

PALATE:  Ripe and intense stone fruit flavours of peach and dried apricot complimented by subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut and fig. A tight and linier palate with underlying minerality concludes with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 14%  |  pH 3.08  |  TA  7.0 g/L

WINEMAKER NOTES:

The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed. The juice was fermented in French oak barrels with indigenous (Auntsfield vineyard) yeast. Followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to subtly integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop depth and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2021 season was another amazing vintage. Regular winter rainfall and an unseasonably cold spring kept cropping levels low.  Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn-out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA:  Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of peaches, mandarin peel, and lemon tart, integrated with brioche and crème brulee aromas from the French oak influence.

PALATE:  Ripe and intense stone fruit flavours of peach and dried apricot complimented by subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut. A tight and linier palate with underlying minerality concludes with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.5%  |  pH 3.38  |  TA  6.4 g/L

WINEMAKERS NOTES

The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITACULTURIST NOTES

The 2020 season was amazing! If you could reproduce the weather conditions of this season every year you would. Regular winter rainfall and a cool spring encouraged canopy growth but kept cropping levels low. Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA:  Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of peaches, mandarin peel and lemon tart, integrated with brioche and crème brulee aromas from the French oak influence.

PALATE:  Ripe and intense stone fruit flavours of peach and dried apricot complimented by subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut. A tight and linier palate with underlying minerality concludes with seamless length.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.5%  |  pH 3.38  |  TA  6.4 g/L

The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

The 2019 season was characterised by warm and very dry weather. Regular winter rainfall and a calm spring was a great start. Summer followed a pattern of warm days and cool nights with lots of sunshine, perfect for vibrant and pure fruit characters. The natural vineyard yields were very low. We focused on opening canopies and manipulating leaf to create a cool ripening environment, allowing fruit to ripen slowly to optimum ripeness in early Autumn.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA:  Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of ripe peach, fig, toasted almond, vanilla and oatmeal on the nose.

PALATE:  A concentrated palate that displays excellent depth and weight, wonderfully complemented by creamy mouthfeel and bright acidity.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.5%  |  pH 3.24  |  TA  7.1

The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

The 2018 season was characterised by regular rainfall at key growth stages. A very dry and warm early summer was followed by wetter more challenging conditions with vineyard work focused around reducing yields and keeping the canopies open and dry. This allowed the fruit to ripen in the cooler conditions of early autumn to optimum ripeness. A season that rewarded dedicated viticulture, vigilance, low cropping and earlier ripening fruit.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold.

AROMA: Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of ripe peach, fig, toasted almond, vanilla and oatmeal on the nose.

PALATE: :A concentrated palate that displays excellent depth and weight, wonderfully complemented by a creamy mouthfeel and bright acidity

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.5%  |  pH 3.14  |  TA 7.0

WINEMAKER NOTES:  The fruit for this wine was hand-harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel aging on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: The 2017 season was characterised by a cold spring and cool growing season, resulting in low natural cropping levels. A long Autumn produced excellent conditions, allowing the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time providing clean fruit that looked exceptionally bright and vibrant. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and an earlier ripening period before any late Autumn rain.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA:  Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of peaches, mandarin peel and lemon tart, integrated with brioche and creme brulee aromas from the French oak influence.

PALATE: Ripe and intense stone fruit flavours of peach and dried apricot are complimented by a flinty minerality and subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut. A tight palate with creamy texture and underlying minerality concludes with seamless length.

ANALYSYS:  Alc. 14.0%  |  pH 3.22  |  TA 6.3

WINEMAKER NOTES:  The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: The 2016 season was characterised by moderate yields resulting excellent vine growth from rainfall at key growth stages in the Spring. A very dry summer followed with vineyard work focused around reduced yields by hand to optimal levels. This allowed the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time in the cool and settled conditions of early autumn. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and delayed ripening in the vineyard.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA: Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of white peach and mandarin peel integrated with brioche and macadamia nut aromas from the French oak influence.

PALATE: Ripe stone fruit flavours of peach and dried apricot are complimented by a flinty minerality and subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut. A tight, well-structured palate with underlying minerality gives the wine seamless length and complexity.

ANALYSYS:  Alc. 14.0%  |  pH 3.21  |  TA 6.5

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: The 2015 season offered up many challenges but particularly a cold windy Spring which reduced yields to very low levels. This fruit developed through a warm summer and mild weather during the harvest period, allowing the fruit to ripen to optimal levels in the cool and settled Autumn conditions. A season of low crops and incredible fruit ripeness and intensity.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA: Intense and complex, this wine displays floral aromas of apricot and orange peel integrated with dried spice characters and nougat aromas from the influence of barrel fermentation and lees contact.

PALATE: Ripe stone fruit flavours of nectarine and dried apricot are complimented by a flinty minerality and subtle French oak influence giving hints of macadamia. A tight, well-structured palate with underlying minerality gives the wine seamless length and complexity.

ANALYSYS:  Alc. 14.0%  |  pH 3.2  |  TA 6.4

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be crushed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: The 2014 season was characterised by naturally high yields resulting from an early, warm settled spring. A very dry summer followed with vineyard work focused reduced yields by hand to optimal levels. This allowed the fruit to ripen to optimal levels in the cool and settled conditions of early autumn. A season rewarding hard work and vigilance in the vineyard.

COLOUR: Rich straw gold

AROMA: Intense and complex, this wine displays aromas of nectarine, apricot and orange marmalade integrated with vanilla pod, nougat and hazelnut aromas from the influence of barrel fermentation and lees contact.

PALATE: Ripe stone fruit flavours of nectarine and dried apricot are complimented by a flinty minerality and subtle French oak influence giving hints of roasted hazelnut. A tight, well structured palate with underlying minerality gives the wine seamless length and complexity.

ANALYSYS:  Alc. 14.0%  |  pH 3.18  |  TA 7.5

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be crushed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: The 2013 season was characterised by naturally low yields and warm settled weather with very little rainfall. Autumn produced cool and settled conditions which were some of the best seen in many years. This ripened small bunches of perfectly formed Chardonnay grapes that reached optimum ripeness with a long Autumn ripening period.

REVIEWS:

  • Magnificently styled and elegantly expressed, the bouquet shows white flesh peach, grapefruit, roasted hazelnut and nougat notes, leading to a wonderfully concentrated palate displaying excellent depth and persistency. It’s brilliantly structured by firm acidity, finishing impressively long and linear. At its best: now to 2029. (2019 Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay).

    95 Points. WINE ORBIT, February 2021.

  • “A plush and pure fruit attack with a calm creamy bouquet. Aromas of white peach and apricot, sweet red apple then wood spice and vanilla. Firm youthful and dry on the palate with a vibrant fruit core, wet stone mineral moment, mild fine wood tannins and plenty of refreshing and balancing acidity. Lush, fresh and juicy finish with a building complexity. Drink now and through 2026.” (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016).

    93 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS, May 2018

  • This consistently rewarding wine is estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, hand-harvested and fermented and matured in French oak barrels (27 per cent new in 2016). The 2016 vintage is lemon-scented and mouthfilling, with rich, vibrant, citrusy, peachy flavours, hints of toast and butter, good acid balance and a fully dry (1.2 grams/litre residual sugar), persistent finish. Priced sharply, it should be at its best mid-2019+. (2016 Single Vineyard Chardonnay).

    MICHAEL COOPER, August 2018

  • Elegant and moderately complex chardonnay with peach, nectarine, cashew nut and spicy oak flavours together with subtle struck flint character. A medium-bodied wine with a drying, suede-like texture. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016)

    92 Points. BOB CAMPBELL, March 2018

  • A stunning chardonnay; it is splendidly expressed on the nose showing nectarine, rockmelon, nougat and almond characters with nuances of brioche and vanilla. The palate is superbly concentrated and impressively weighted, while remaining elegant and exquisitely poised. A multi-layered offering destined to evolve gracefully. At its best: now to 2022. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016)

    94 Points. WINE ORBIT, February 2018

  • Bright straw-yellow colour with light golden tints, paler edged. The nose is gently full with even and accessible aromas of yellow stonefruit and citrus fruit, along with subtle creamy barrel-ferment and fragrant nutty oak elements with lees detail. Some refresh mineral nuances emerge with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the flavours are a little restrained in expression but grow to form a softly packed heart providing good mouthfeel and presence. The palate has flavours of yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits melded with nutty lees and oak with subtle, creamy textures. The palate is balanced by crisp, mouthwatering acidity, unveiling mealy and toasty suggestions as the wine carries to an elegant, lingering finish. This is a well-concentrated Chardonnay with restrained stonefruit and citrus fruit flavours along with nutty and creamy oak, and brisk acidity, good weight and presence. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016).

    18/20 Points. RAYMOND CHAN, March 2018

     

  • Quite a bold bouquet of spicy wood scents followed by roasted yellow stone fruits; aromas of baking spices, quince and a touch of salty sea air make for a youthful yet complex building package. On the palate – as the nose suggests – youthful and intense with flavours of wood, wood spices, ripe stone fruit then citrus peel, some cashew, quince and saline moments adding depth and character. Plenty of acidity, nearly full-bodied and dry on the finish. A wine that will age well. Drink now and through 2025. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2015)

    91 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS, September 2017

  • Elegant and refined, the wine exhibits white stone fruit, lemon pith, fig and almond characters with a hint of brioche notes. The palate is concentrated and focused, and displays pristine fruit flavours together with subtle oak infusion and savoury undertones. The wine is tightly structured and restrained, and promises to evolve gracefully. At its best now to 2020. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2015).

    94 Points, Wine Orbit. March, 2017

  • This consistently rewarding wine is estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barrels (18 per cent new in 2014). The 2014 vintage is light lemon/green, with a slightly creamy bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is tightly structured, with strong, peachy, slightly appley and smoky flavours, woven with fresh acidity, well-integrated oak adding complexity, and a lingering finish. (Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2014).

    MICHAEL COOPER, 2017

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