Sporting a light straw yellow-gold colour, this
wine has a lovely aromatic bouquet of citrus fruits, nuts and acacia florals,
very much as in Puligny-Montrachet. On
palate, this is a very fine, elegantly constructed wine with a tight core of
fruit that is satisfying in richness, yet sufficiently rich and rounded in
mouthfeel to provide immediate drinkability.
The harmonious nature of the wine belies the sophistication built into
it. Nuances of tropical fruits, toasty
oak and smoke unfold in the glass. Made
from clone 15 Chardonnay grown in the home Renwick vineyard blended with Dijon
clone 95 from the Greer vineyard on Rapaura Road, this was 100% barrel
fermented, a portion with wild yeasts to 13.5% alc, then oak matured with lees
stirring for added richness and creaminess of texture. Drink this with seafood, naturally, over the
next 3-5 years.
RC Sept 10
The 2008 Nautilus Chardonnay is pale straw in colour with a lifted aroma of
tropical fruit and melon supported by toasty oak. On the palate
grapefruit/citrus flavours are integrated with nutty/biscuit characters derived
from indigenous fermentation and lees stirring. This wine has a tight mineral
structure in its youth and develops a creamy texture as it matures. 13.5% alc
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