Seresin Reserve Chardonnay 2018
2018
£29.00
Availability: 2 in stock
Full of concentration and poise with a broad mouthfeel, backed with firm acidity and salty minerality. The nose is savoury and complex with finely-balanced oak and just a hint of warm orchard fruit. Firm acidity and structure will allow the wine to age gracefully.
WINE PRODUCER
‘Seresin Estate’ is a Marlborough based winery whose core belief is to make wine in the most natural way possible without skimping on quality. At the entrance to the ‘Seresin vineyard’ is a beautiful stone bearing a handprint – this handprint represents the Seresin philosophy to work by hand, traditionally and with natural elements, to elicit true Marlborough character in their wines. Organics was a founding principle of ‘Seresin Estate’ when it launched in 1992.
The Seresin story started with Michael Seresin who spent a large portion of his life working in film. Having worked on major films such as “Gravity” and “Harry Potter” Michael wanted to create some magic that was truly his own. In the early 90’s he had the desire to create a winery that made wine in the most organic and natural method known to man, without compromising on quality. His passion for organics is what laid the groundwork for everything that ‘Seresin Estate’ is.
Now, the entire estate is farmed biodynamically and all of their wines are suitable to be drunk by Vegans. At Seresin, they believe that quality wines and oils begin with healthy plants that are able to fully express the soil and environment in which they grow – and they believe that the use of organic and biodynamic techniques and philosophies enables plants to achieve this healthy, balanced state. All the fruit is hand-picked and hand-sorted before being whole-bunch pressed. The wines are naturally fermented, using wild yeasts indigenous to the winery, to give greater individuality to the finished wines.
The entire Seresin portfolio is (if we may say so ourselves) beyond reproach. The Sauvignon Blanc boasts tropical fruit flavours and a distinctly fresh Marlborough taste. The Reserve Chardonnay is complex and poised. Both their ‘Leah Pinot Noir’ and ‘Rachel Pinot Noir’ have incredibly alluring qualities being young & vibrant, and elegant & structured respectively. The true pick of the punch in our humble opinion is the ‘Memento Riesling’ - this drop embodies everything we love about Riesling, a crisp dry quality that is complemented with honey and beeswax sweetness. Perfection for any occasion.
For more information on Seresin and their wines, visit their website.
WINE REGION
Marlborough Wine Region is New Zealand’s largest and most famed wine region. Early successes with the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc varietal range far and wide, landing NZ on the international wine map. With vintners interest in varied terroir and varieties escalating the recognition of the region globally adding fuel to the fire. Soon enough winemakers took to the cooler sub-regions of Southern Valley’s and Awatere.
The 1980’s
Back in the 1980s as an understanding of the regions potential slowly unfurled, farmers and foresters alike made a switch. The switch was to viticulture and the industry blossomed.
Marlborough’s Wine Region Conditions
Resting to the east at the tip of the South Island, Marlboroughs enjoys long drawn out daylight hours. This is coupled with a clear, cool atmosphere at night. This union results in a long, leisurely ripening period. Greatly contributing to the grapes intensified flavours while the chill of the night retains the acidity levels.
Marlboroughs Sub-Regions
Consisting of the three sub-regions; Wairau Valley, Awatere Valley and the Southern Valley’s. Marlborough has a diversified range of terroirs, allowing for impressive variation in style, minerality, and flavour. As the name suggests, the Southern Valleys sit south of the Wairau Valleys and houses the Omaka and Fairhall. As well as Brancott, Ben Morven and Waihopai valleys – Marlborough’s original sites.
The southern location of these valleys and the soils relatively heavier clay content is a key factor in its wine product. The clay gives the ability to produce a diverse range of wines.
Enjoying the slightly warmer north of the region, the Wairau Valleys sit more inland. It benefits from the Wairau River running through. This decreases the need and frequency of irrigation.
Soil Profiles and Notes
With each of the sites here having varying soil profiles consisting of alluvial gravel, wind borne loess and greywacke. Each vineyard will produce a unique wine, with flavour inherited from its unique soil composition. Although it must be noted, no matter how far a style strays, its intensity remains. The rich fruit intensity that’s a hallmark of the region can always be found.
Close to the Coast lies Awatere, arguably Marlborough’s most distinctive sub-region. The windier and cool location means the vines have a lower yield. This means the wines produced have an incredibly distinctive character as each abstraction and variation isn’t diluted.
The Herbaceous and flinty minerality truly reflect the sub-regions unique Terroir. While the good aromatics one can find stem from a decrease in the vigour of the vines.
As the New Zealand’s Wine Industries largest wine region it houses around 77% of the countries vines. It also produces over 75% of the Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough has an upward trajectory and an exciting future.