Neudorf Tiritiri Chardonnay 2019 ~ Nelson, New Zealand

93/100 Bob Campbell 
93/100 James Suckling
91/100 Julie Sheppard
91/100 Amy Wilslocki
90/100 Huon Hooke

Bob Campbell "New entry-level chardonnay label from three vineyards in the Upper Moutere. Bright, tangy chardonnay with lemon tart, oyster-shell, nectarine, root ginger and spicy oak flavours. Accessible now but no rush."

James Suckling "Aromas of apple pie and some smoke and mineral undertones follow through to a medium to full body with a phenolic-framed mid-palate and a fresh, vivid finish. A little shy, but lots going on here. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Julie Sheppard "A newcomer to Neudorf's portfolio, made with grapes sourced from three sites in the Moutere Hills and wild-fermented in barrel. Aromas of waxy citrus, with breezy freshness. The textured, silky palate combines flinty mineral notes with citrus, apple and a touch of peach, alongside vibrant acidity. A good match for creamy fish dishes."

Amy Wilslocki "It has a lovely wild ferment character, with silky, creamy peach and apple fruit. It's textural, fresh and balanced, and will be a hit with lovers of both Old and New World Chardonnay...One of the Society's 2022 Wine Champions, this delicious, Burgundian-style Chardonnay is made by Neudorf, a top name in the Nelson region, from three sites. This has seen whole-bunch fermentation, and 10 months ageing on lees in medium-toast French oak (13% new)"

Huon Hooke "Light to mid-straw-yellow colour, with a smoky, fusty, dried flower, pot-pourri bouquet and a sulfury waft. In the mouth, it’s rich and has a slight tickle of sweetness, with amplitude and generosity, very good drinkability and plenty of appeal"

The Winemaker "A new addition to the Neudorf portfolio.

Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by BioGro 5438 certification in New Zealand. 

The inaugural Tiritiri Chardonnay comes from three sites within the Moutere Hills, including the young vines of Neudorf’s own Rosie’s Block.

Drinking this wine suggests to me what it might be like to surf those waves off Raglan.

On the nose - ocean sea spray, waxy native florals entwined with white peaches.

These flavours are brought though to the palate along with notes of fennel & yuzu pith. The wine flirts with an exquisite balance of minerality & precision. There is a refreshing surge of acidity that is held together brilliantly with a framework of oak & fruit concentration - all riding the wave in sync.

A Chardonnay to be gently chilled, generously shared & enjoyed with anything that takes you back to the seaside in summer, maybe for a surf, a cast, or a wander."

Neudorf Vineyards is arguably the most well-known producer in New Zealand's famous Nelson wine-growing region. Neudorf was founded in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn, who experimented with what was then unknown wine territory, building a thriving winery that is now famous for its wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The Finns were pioneers of organic farming in New Zealand and their wine-making philosophy is one of minimal intervention.

Tiritiri is a new brand from Neudorf which collaborates with named, hand-selected growers in the Nelson region to make excellent wines. All wines are created from single-vineyard which are committed to low cropping.

Nelson is a small, wine region at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, it enjoys a unique mesoclimate that is perfect for aromatic grape varieties. Wines made from Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer are considered to be some of the best in New Zealand.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.