Nautilus Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Nautilus Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Nautilus Estate has been growing Chardonnay in the Renwick vineyard since 1989. A Burgundian inspired wine, this Chardonnay has beautiful complexity from the cool climate freshness that Marlborough has to offer.

Wine Production

Handpicked grapes are chilled overnight before gentle pressing direct to barrel without settling. The wine is entirely barrel fermented in French oak barriques (20% new) using indigenous yeast. A short period of lees stirring post fermentation adds a textural element to the palate.

Tasting Notes

The Nautilus Chardonnay has a lifted nose of ripe nectarines, apricots, brioche, and toasted hazelnuts with a hint of flinty complexity. The palate displays stone fruits and honeysuckle along with a nutty complexity from the natural ferments. The palate has good depth and concentration with a refreshingly long finish. This wine has a tight mineral structure and will develop a creamy texture as it matures.

Food Pairing

Delicious with leek, mushroom, and mustard chicken with herby cauliflower rice.

Nautilus Estate has been growing Chardonnay in the Renwick vineyard since 1989. A Burgundian inspired wine, this Chardonnay has beautiful complexity from the cool climate freshness that Marlborough has to offer.

Wine Production

Handpicked grapes are chilled overnight before gentle pressing direct to barrel without settling. The wine is entirely barrel fermented in French oak barriques (20% new) using indigenous yeast. A short period of lees stirring post fermentation adds a textural element to the palate.

Tasting Notes

The Nautilus Chardonnay has a lifted nose of ripe nectarines, apricots, brioche, and toasted hazelnuts with a hint of flinty complexity. The palate displays stone fruits and honeysuckle along with a nutty complexity from the natural ferments. The palate has good depth and concentration with a refreshingly long finish. This wine has a tight mineral structure and will develop a creamy texture as it matures.

Food Pairing

Delicious with leek, mushroom, and mustard chicken with herby cauliflower rice.

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:
Marlborough
Vineyard name:
Renwick Vineyard
Vineyard size:
7 ha acres
Soil composition:
Stony alluvium
Elevation:
131 feet
Harvest time:
March
Average Vine Age:
35 years

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fining agent:
vegan
Type of oak:
French oak barrique 20% new
Length of aging before bottling:
3 - 5 years

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.23
Acidity:
5.7 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.5 g/L

About the Vineyard

Fruit from the Renwick vineyard is blended with a small amount of Dijon clones. These sites are stony and free draining, giving naturally low yields, fantastic depth of flavor and mineral structure. Over forty percent of the blend is from new Burgundian clonal plantings in the Renwick vineyard which nicely complements mature clones on the same site.