2023 Kōparepare Marlborough Chardonnay

WINE ANALYSIS

Alcohol: 14% 
Residual Sugar: <1g/L
Acidity: 5.4g/L
pH: 3.55

VITICULTURE

Climate: Similar to the previous season, the 2023 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity following a wet winter. Flowering conditions in November and December were not even across Marlborough with some sub-regions achieving a good set and crop load and others below average set. Vigilance around disease pressure was paramount, with regular rain events through the season and unusual humidity and warm nights through much of December and January. Day time temperatures were not warm, delaying the vine's physiological advancement. Marlborough breathed a sigh of relief as cyclone Gabrielle minimally impacted the region in February, while wreaking having through much of the North Island. The season turned a corner for Marlborough in early March with a return to cool nights and sunnier conditions allowing us to delay harvest for as long as possible, resulting in fruit that reached good sugar levels with attractive flavours, while disease levels remained low and manageable. Fruit condition remained very good through until the end of harvest. 

Grape Growing: Our Chardonnay is sourced from three vineyard sites, Pauls Road, Rothay and The Tussocks, and comprised of 3 different Chardonnay clones, Mendoza, clone 95 and clone 15. Vines are trained to two or three canes on a vertical trellis, with balanced pruning, shoot thinning, tucking, and trimming to achieve an open, healthy canopy and clean, ripe fruit. 

WINEMAKING

Harvest Dates: Multiple picks from the 20^th of March - 4^th of April, 2023

Winemaking: The fruit was hand-picked and immediately whole cluster pressed. The juice was lightly settled before being racked and inoculated for fermentation. Halfway through fermentation, the wine was transferred to French oak of which 10% was new oak and 15% second year use. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and was aged in barrel, on lees, for 10 months to aid texture and richness on the palate.

ACCOLADES

• "Delightfully ripe and elegantly fragrant, showing ripe peach, rockmelon, vanilla and oatmeal characters on the nose. The palate is succulent and beautifully rounded with supple texture and mellow acidity, finishing smooth and tasty." 90/100 points (4.5 stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
• "Expressive and layered aromas of honeydew melon, white florals and warm butter on fresh salted bread. The palate is rich and broad, offering ripe red apple and melon seasoned with vanilla, toast and barrel spice. A persistent, buttery finish completes this soft, ripe and satisfying Chardonnay." 91/100 points (4.5 stars) - The Wine Writer

• "Bright, even, pale yellow with a light green sheen. The nose is elegantly full, with aromas of citrus, stonefruit, floral, popcorn and subtle creaminess. Medium-full bodied, aromas of lemon curd, grapefruit and zest melded with peach, white floral and popcorn. The creamy mouthfeel contrasts lively acidity, unfolding zest spice and fine-textured phenolics, lending a dry, linear finish. This Chardonnay is poised, with voluminous fruit and spice on a creamy mouthfeel." 91/100 points (4 stars) - Candice Chow (Raymond Chan Wine Reviews).