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Waimea Family Estates Chardonnay 2013 Wine Review

Waimea Family Estates Chardonnay 2013

Waimea Family Estates Chardonnay 2013

Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Community Score:88/100

Community Reviews: 1

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Drink: 2015-2017

Alcohol: 13%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: White Wine


Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings

Steve Kubota rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

WAIMEA FAMILY ESTATES WINE
CHARDONNAY
NELSON, NEW ZEALAND

Varietal composition: 100% Chardonnay
Hand-picked: 2013/04/09
Vineyard: Waimea Plains
Alcohol: 13.5%
Sugar: 1.9 g/l
Total acidity: 5.55 g/l
pH: 3.50

From the Winery:

Barrel fermented Chardonnay has aromas of jasmine, lemon meringue and a whisper of oak which draws you in and are followed on the palate by fleshy ripe citrus and a hint

Focused, fresh and crisp with beautiful balance and length

Winemaking:
On the 9th of April the Chardonnay grapes for this wine, Clones B95, CL15 and 2/23 were harvested from our vineyards on the Waimea plains, this combination of clones contributing both citrus as well as stone-fruit characters to the wine. After gently pressing the grapes the juice was briefly settled to remove grape solids. The juice was then racked to a mix of seasoned and new French oak barrels, and inoculated with a variety of specialty yeast strains chosen to enhance varietal character and provide an array fermentation characters. Following primary ferment, the yeast lees were stirred through the wine throughout the winter and spring to enhance palate-weight and texture.

Malolactic fermentation kicked off late spring/early summer as the barrels warmed up and once complete some ten months later the wine was wine was blended, filtered, and finished for bottling in March 2014.

My Tasting Notes:

I tasted the Waimea Chardonnay at a New Zealand Bubbly and Chardonnay promotion. The Bubbly and Chardonnay sparkling and Chardonnay wines were chosen by an astute panel of industry experts in New Zealand to help showcase the best of the best wines for each category.

There are two main islands that comprise New Zealand. The Waimea Chardonnay was tasted with four other south island producers and six producers from the north island. There are quite contrasting styles from each region making this a potpourri and flavourfest for lovers of Chardonnay.

This is a balanced wine with strong citrus notes in the bouquet and on the palate. There is a backbone of zestyness but it doesn’t overpower or overshadow the stone fruit and minerality. The wine finishes with a nice creamy, mouth filling texture that caresses your soul. This is one solid wine that Chardonnay lovers will go goo-goo, gaga over. The wine is good enough to drink on its own but best paired with a creamy, soft cheese and fresh baked baguette with extra butter. Drink now.


Tasted on May 14th, 2015

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