2014 TerraVin Te Ahu Chardonnay

A recent review of the Te Ahu Chardonnay 2014 by Jancis Robinson "Indigenous yeast really makes a difference and turns out a serious, nuanced Chardonnay that really offers satisfaction and length, as well as the promise of some longevity. Very satisfying. Lower apparent acidity (TA 6.9 g/l, pH 3.28 g/l) than most Australian Chardonnays and white burgundies(!) - presumably because they are confident they will never make soft wines here. A really interesting wine."

2014 is the first and current vintage of this Marlborough Te Ahu Chardonnay made by TerraVin.

The Season

Spring began mild and dry which led to an early budburst. This, and good conditions during flowering, meant there was potential for large bunches and potentially high yield. Early green bunch removal brought our vines and yields back in balance.

Mild weather through the rest of the season and some warm weather during February led to an early harvest with slightly higher brix at harvest than usual. The early harvest was welcome as later in April some heavy rains arrived providing a challenge to those with fruit not harvested.

Harvest

Hand harvested into 10kg bins
Harvested on the 14^th of March
Brix 23.8

In the bottle

The 100% Chardonnay fruit was hand picked and gently whole bunch pressed to barrels with no settling. The wild ferment, partial malo-lactic ferment and ageing in oak continued for 15 months. After a period of tank conditioning on lees, the resulting blend was bottled on 27^th March 2017.

14% alc by vol | TA:  6.9 g/L | pH: 3.28 g/L

Reviews

Jancis Robinson MW  17 points

Southern Valleys fruit vinified by Gordon Ritchie and the wine supplied by Curtis Marsh. Indigenous yeast really makes a difference and turns out a serious, nuanced Chardonnay that really offers satisfaction and length, as well as the promise of some longevity. Very satisfying. Lower apparent acidity (TA 6.9 g/l, pH 3.28 g/l) than most Australian Chardonnays and white burgundies(!) - presumably because they are confident they will never make soft wines here. A really interesting wine.

John Saker, Wine writer for Fairfax Media, Cuisine – May 2017 - 17+ ★★★★