Harvest

Two lots, hand harvested on April 20th and 21st, 2008. Hand sorted. Whole cluster pressed.

• Brix: 23.5

• TA: 9.5 g/l

• pH: 3.30

Cellar & Bottling

Racked to barrels immediately after pressing. 100% barrel fermented in 228L barriques and 500L puncheons (10% new) with native yeasts followed by full malolactic fermentation. All lots were held on fermentation lees for eleven months before racking, blending, a gentle coarse filtration and bottling on March 31st , 2009.

• RS: 1.24 g/L       

• TA:6.8g/L       

• pH: 3.39       

• Alcohol: 13.04%

The Wine

Our aim is to produce a subtle, complex, Chardonnay that reflects our vineyard. By working with the canopies and keeping the crop level low we are producing balanced fruit, which does not require fining or other manipulation. Our site gives us intense minerally fruit characters and our low tech traditional handling give the wine complexity which we enhance with the judicious use of new oak barrels. 

The 2007-08 growing season was difficult, a cool spring with frosts followed by a very warm dry period through December and January. In February we received an unseasonal amount of rain which necessitated a lot of work in the vineyards and our staff pulled leaves right up to harvest. An interesting year but nothing that Miranda and her excellent vineyard team couldn’t manage. (Not bad – just different and vintage specific.)

To ensure quality and uniformity this wine is a single batch bottled under a screw cap closure. We regard bottle variation as an unacceptable “thing of the past”.

Organic – Since 2007 Muddy Water’s estate vineyards have been farmed organically – we will achieve full organic certification in 2010.

"Fermented with indigenous yeasts and lees-aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (10 percent new).  A lemony, slightly buttery wine with good intensity and drive, it's tight-knit with good acid spine and complexity.  ****  The bolder 2009 is unusually robust and fleshy, with high alcohol (14.5%) and strong grapefruit and peach flavours, ripe and rounded.  It's approachable already, but should be long-lived."   ****

Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines, 2011 

"A subtle nose showing citrus, mixed nut and subtle mineral characters. It’s bright and juicy on the palate with beautifully flowing texture, balanced acidity and a clean dry finish. The wine is elegantly poised with silky mouthfeel. A youthful wine nicely opening up in the glass indicating the wine will age gracefully."

Sam Kim, Senior Wine Judge, Wine Orbit