THE NED CHARDONNAY 2024

TASTING NOTE

A fruit-driven Chardonnay with aromas of white stone fruit with a mango edge. This is elevated by spicy notes of vanilla, clove and five spice. A generous palate intertwines with a fine oak tannin with a persistence provided by the lively acidity.

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 2024 The Ned Chardonnay with a smoked Kingfish salad.

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 500 L 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 3.5
• Titratable Acidity 4.79g/L
• Residual Sugar 2.0g/L
• Vegan Certified

VINTAGE

Vintage 2024 will be remembered for being one of Marlborough’s smaller vintages but also for producing exceptional fruit quality.
Despite a dry winter and resulting low ground moisture levels, full dams and positive river flows supplied essential soil moisture for the start of the growing season with budburst in mid-September.

Minimal frosts occurred, and though November and December were warm, below-average temperatures potentially contributed to the smaller vintage. From December to February, temperatures rose sharply, accompanied by above-average sunshine and below-average rainfall, leading to drought concerns and an early
start to harvest.

Perfect weather aided steady picking from February until mid-April, allowing fruit to be picked in perfect condition at peak ripeness delivering consistent levels of concentration and complexity of flavour.

Sommeliers Choice Awards 2026: Gold

Right in the heart of the magical Waihopai Valley, a million miles from anywhere, lies The Ned - one of Marlborough's most famous peaks - and the childhood playground for founder and winemaker, Brent Marris. It's a place where nights are two degrees colder and days two degrees hotter. Where possibilities take hold and good times unfold, where the young at heart thrive. And where there's liveliness and adventure in every bottle.