THE NED CHARDONNAY 2022

TASTING NOTE

A fruit-driven Chardonnay with white peach and quince aromas, elevated by notes of clove, vanilla and lightly toasted brioche. The palate is plush and creamy from the near full malolactic conversion, whilst still retaining lively acidity and fine oak tannin.

FOOD MATCHING

A food-friendly style that will compliment a broad array of cuisine, from light seafood and salad dishes to white meat and creamy pasta. We recommend pairing the The Ned Chardonnay 2022 with salmon fishcakes with a light green salad accompaniment.

CELLARING POTENTIAL

Crafted to be enjoyed at the peak of its vibrancy and freshness, we recommend drinking this wine within 2-3 years of vintage date.

ORIGIN

Marlborough, New Zealand

WINEMAKING

Ripe chardonnay fruit was completely destemmed before being gently pressed and the juice settled prior to fermentation. Fermentation was carried out in a mixture of 500L French oak puncheons and temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. Following fermentation, the wine was aged on full yeast lees for a further 9 months with periodic yeast lees stirring to build mouthfeel. During this time a portion of the batches underwent malolactic fermentation adding further texture and complexity.

ANALYSIS

• Alcohol - 13.5%
• pH - 3.46
• Titratable Acidity - 6.1g/L
• Residual Sugar - 3.05g/L
• Vegan Certified

VINTAGE

Record rainfall in July, August and a warm start to September, permitted an energetic start to the growing season. This coincided with double the usual number of frosts which were replaced by warmer temperatures and humid northerly airflows in October. Early season varieties flowered rapidly while later season varietals were slightly challenged by a cool, wet start to December. Increasing temperatures and a warm, dry January ultimately ensured an abundance of fruit.

Despite heavy February rains, good vineyard practice and increased sunshine hours through the tail end of February meant the vast majority of the resulting fruit was clean and ripe.

Harvesting began in early March due to early season disease pressure with positive fruit flavours indicating physiological ripeness.

The team are excited about the structural diversity and bright complex flavours of the 2022 wines.

GOLD

• The Global Chardonnay Masters 2023

17.5/20 POINTS

• Drinksbiz’ Annual Chardonnay Report: Joelle Thomson 2023

"If an 'Under $20' wine were to pack a high vaue punch, then The Ned Chardonnay is it. Fermentation in French oak puncheons (500L barrels) gives the wine a smaller surface area in contact with oak, which maximises maturation and adds smooth depth. The wine also gains textural qualities from spending nine months on yeast lees to build mouthfeel. It was bottled without fining, so also qualifies as vegan-friendly. It's not only delicious but incredible value for money too."

92 POINTS

• Cameron Douglas MS 2023

"Always a consistently well made wine from the Marisco team - aromas and flavours of fresh red apples and peaches laced with lemon and vanilla, white flowers and a fine stony mineral quality. Satin textures touch the palate first then flavours of citrus and peach with a touch of tropical fruit then spices of wood. Well made, dry on the finish and ready to drink from 2023 through 2026+."