Family EstatesOrganic Marlborough Chardonnay
A lively and complex expression of Marlborough Chardonnay produced from our organic certified Headwaters Vineyard in the Wairau Valley. Deliciously spicy peach, golden apple and honeydew melon with hints of toffee and lemon lingering on the finish.
Golden delicious apple, peach and lemon curd aromas with a spicy/cinnamon note.
Medium weight with goods density and viscosity. Lemon, peach , rock-melon and pear fruits are evident along with a pleasant minerality that lingers.
Medium weight with goods density and viscosity. Lemon, peach , rock-melon and pear fruits are evident along with a pleasant minerality that lingers.
The fruit was harvested from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was cold settled then fermented in a combination of stainless steel vats and 228L oak barrels with indigenous (wild) yeasts. A portion of the wine was then encouraged to undergo malolactic fermentation. After seven months on lees to increase mouthfeel, oak integration and complexity, the components were blended. This was followed by a light fining.
This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish or vegetable medley.
"A lovely bouquet and palate with textures and core fruit flavours that suggest place and time. On the palate flavours of grapefruit, apple and pear laced with a lees autolysis quality, some mineral and soft fleshed tropical fruits. A decent weight across the palate with medium+ (ish) acidity and fine tannins to carry flavour and textures across the palate offers a wine of completeness and intrigue. best drinking from late 2024 through 2029. Fantastic value!" - 94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, www.camerondouglasms.com
Cashew, lemon curd and rock-melon.aromas. Touch of wood smoke.
Stone fruits, (nectarine/ apricot), with apple and melon, complex sweet hay-like aroma and a subtle cedar note. Lingering warm and spicy. Intense and opulent.
Stone fruits, (nectarine/ apricot), with apple and melon, complex sweet hay-like aroma and a subtle cedar note. Lingering warm and spicy. Intense and opulent.
The fruit was harvested from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was cold settled then fermented in a combination of 228L oak barrels and stainless steel vats with indigenous (wild) yeasts. A portion of the wine was then encouraged to undergo malolactic fermentation. After nine and a half months on lees to increase mouthfeel, oak integration and complexity, the components were blended. This was followed by a light fining.
This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish or vegetable medley.
Lifted biscuity/mealy aromas with a hint of lemon and vanilla, pear and toasty notes also.
Spicy peach entry with golden delicious apple, honey dew melon and cinnamon. Hints of toffee and lemon linger on the finish. Nice oily viscosity and great volume. Lively and complex.
Spicy peach entry with golden delicious apple, honey dew melon and cinnamon. Hints of toffee and lemon linger on the finish. Nice oily viscosity and great volume. Lively and complex.
The fruit was harvested in superb condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was cold settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous (wild) yeasts. The wine was then encouraged to undergo malolactic fermentation. After eight and a half months on lees to increase mouthfeel, oak integration and complexity, the components were blended. This was followed by a light fining.
This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish or vegetable medley.
Our Family Estates Marlborough Organic Chardonnay has aromas of lemon curd, biscuity with vanilla, cedar, and a bright note of lime. Rich and mealy with drive and a long finish. Flavours of ginger and cashew, red apples and stone fruits. Lively and elegant. We produce highly sought-after organic and sustainable Chardonnay, produced and bottled in New Zealand and exported to restaurants and bars all around the world.
The fruit was harvested in excellent condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was cold settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous and cultured yeasts. A portion of the wine was then allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. After 10 months on lees to increase mouthfeel, oak integration and complexity, the components were blended to create the Family Estates Marlborough Chardonnay. This was followed by a light fining.
This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish.
GOLD MEDAL - Global Organic Masters, Aug 2021
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, March 2021 issue
94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Magazine, March 2021
SILVER MEDAL - Aotearoa NZ Organic Wines Awards 2021
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, May 2021
"Complex bouquet with aromas of citrus peel and gun-flint, white peach, red apple and stony mineral. Lees and a lite toasty barrel spice are harmonious and seamless. Weighty on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose. Great texture and richness with acidity, tannins and fruit driving the flavour and mouthfeel. Well made and very enticing offering excellent drinking."
94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Magazine, March 2021
"Estate-grown near Renwick, in the Wairau Valley, the 2019 vintage (4.5*) is drinking well in its youth. Fermented in an even split of tanks and oak barriques, it is pale straw, with fragrant, slightly biscuity bouquet. Weighty, it has ripe stone-fruit flavours, showing good complexity, balanced acidity and a slightly creamy texture."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz May 2021
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, March 2021 issue
94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Magazine, March 2021
SILVER MEDAL - Aotearoa NZ Organic Wines Awards 2021
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, May 2021
"Complex bouquet with aromas of citrus peel and gun-flint, white peach, red apple and stony mineral. Lees and a lite toasty barrel spice are harmonious and seamless. Weighty on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose. Great texture and richness with acidity, tannins and fruit driving the flavour and mouthfeel. Well made and very enticing offering excellent drinking."
94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Magazine, March 2021
"Estate-grown near Renwick, in the Wairau Valley, the 2019 vintage (4.5*) is drinking well in its youth. Fermented in an even split of tanks and oak barriques, it is pale straw, with fragrant, slightly biscuity bouquet. Weighty, it has ripe stone-fruit flavours, showing good complexity, balanced acidity and a slightly creamy texture."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz May 2021
Pungent with peach, melon and pastry/ oatmeal notes. A touch of Gala apple also. Juicy, sweet and fresh fruited entry with lemon and lime, more stone fruits - especially nectarine and apricot -and a touch of cashew. Generous, bright and long with a lingering mineral/ oyster shell.
The fruit was harvested in excellent condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was cold settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous and cultured yeasts. A portion of the wine was then allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. After a 7 months on lees to increase mouthfeel, oak integration and complexity, the components were blended. This was followed by a light fining. Bottled early 2019.
This organic Chardonnay would be ideal with a poultry for fish dish.
GOLD MEDAL - New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 2020
Very aromatic. Peach and lemon curd with savoury cashew notes. Finely textured, and well fruited with nectarine, apple and citrus mingled with sweet pastry and brioche. Fleshy, rich and nicely concentrated.
The fruit was harvested in excellent condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was briefly settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeast. The wine was then allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. After a long time on lees, to promote mouthfeel, integration and complexity, the components were blended, lightly fined and bottled early in the new year.
This organic Chardonnay would thrive paired with poultry or fish.
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
"Estate-grown near Renwick, in the Wairau Valley, the classy 2017 vintage is great value. Fermented and matured for eight months in French oak barriques, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, fresh acidity, slightly buttery and nutty notes, and excellent depth, vigour, complexity and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz
"Fruity, soft-textured chardonnay with melon, white peach, ginger and toast flavours. An accessible and appealing wine in a straightforward varietal style."
- Bob Campbell, www.therealreview.com, Mar 2019
"Bright straw-yellow colour with some depth and slight pale golden hues, lighter edged. The nose is softly fresh and broad in expression, with aromas of yellow stonefruits along with subtle nutty notes and a layering of lemon-curd MLF and hints of creamy barrel-ferment. The nose is refreshing and youthful. Medium-bodied, the palate has rich and vigorous flavours of white and yellow stonefruits, and citrus fruits entwined with soft, nutty oak and hints of creamy barrel-ferment, unveiling an overlay of lemon-curd MLF. This has good weight and presence, the flavours filling the mouth, and the palate is enlivened by fresh acidity. The wine is carried positively by light, grainy, phenolic textures to a long and lingering, fulsome finish. This is a full and vigorous Chardonnay with stonefruit, citrus, nutty, and lemon-curd MLF flavours."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
"Estate-grown near Renwick, in the Wairau Valley, the classy 2017 vintage is great value. Fermented and matured for eight months in French oak barriques, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, fresh acidity, slightly buttery and nutty notes, and excellent depth, vigour, complexity and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz
"Fruity, soft-textured chardonnay with melon, white peach, ginger and toast flavours. An accessible and appealing wine in a straightforward varietal style."
- Bob Campbell, www.therealreview.com, Mar 2019
"Bright straw-yellow colour with some depth and slight pale golden hues, lighter edged. The nose is softly fresh and broad in expression, with aromas of yellow stonefruits along with subtle nutty notes and a layering of lemon-curd MLF and hints of creamy barrel-ferment. The nose is refreshing and youthful. Medium-bodied, the palate has rich and vigorous flavours of white and yellow stonefruits, and citrus fruits entwined with soft, nutty oak and hints of creamy barrel-ferment, unveiling an overlay of lemon-curd MLF. This has good weight and presence, the flavours filling the mouth, and the palate is enlivened by fresh acidity. The wine is carried positively by light, grainy, phenolic textures to a long and lingering, fulsome finish. This is a full and vigorous Chardonnay with stonefruit, citrus, nutty, and lemon-curd MLF flavours."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
Sweetly perfumed aromas - nutty, mealy with lemon blossom and a nice cedar edge. The palate is rich and complex with a zesty citrus burst on entry and nectarine and peach on the mid palate. Savoury elements are also apparent. Nice weight and volume and just a hint of caramel on the long finish.
The fruit was harvested in excellent condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was briefly settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeast. The wine was then allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. After a long time on lees, to promote mouthfeel, integration and complexity, the components were blended, lightly fined and bottled early in the new year.
This award winning organic Chardonnay would thrive paired with poultry or fish.
MASTERS MEDAL - Global Organic Masters 2017
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, New Zealand Wines Buyer's Guide, michaelcooper.co.nz, May 2018
SILVER MEDAL - International Organic Wine Awards 2017
SILVER MEDAL - New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 2017
"Bright, light straw-yellow colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is finely concentrated with deep aromas of citrus and stone-fruits melded with mealy and nutty notes, along with a layering of creamy barrel-ferment and lemon-curd MLF elements. Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and vibrant with bright flavours of citrus fruits entwined with mealy nutty and toasty oak, along with creamy and lemon-curd MLF richness. The flavours are balanced and cut by fresh, lacy acidity, the wine flowing with some underlying alcoholic power, leading to a soft-textured, lingering finish of toast and nuts. This is a fresh, vibrant Chardonnay with rich citrus, mealy and nutty flavours along with toasty oak and integrated lemon-curd MLF notes."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2017
"This youthful, fleshy wine is invitingly fragrant, with a slightly creamy, nutty bouquet. It has generous, peachy, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity and excellent vigour and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, Listener magazine, July 22 2017 issue
"Grilled brioche and peaches paint a rich picture on the nose of the 2016 Chardonnay Headwaters Organic, but the palate is only medium-bodied and gives a different, tight-laced impression. Lean, citrusy elements dominate in the mouth, leading to a tart, crisp finish. Give this a year or two in the cellar to flesh out."
89 POINTS - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, Feb 2018
"This classy Chardonnay is more affordable than many. Estate-grown near Renwick, it was fermented with indigenous yeasts in tanks and barrels, with some use of new French oak, and given a softening malolactic fermentation. Mouthfilling, with a highly attractive bouquet, it has strong, ripe, grapefruit and peach flavours, showing good complexity, fresh acidity and a long, tightly structured finish. Certified organic."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper,New Zealand Wines Buyer's Guide, www.michaelcooper.co.nz , May 2018
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, New Zealand Wines Buyer's Guide, michaelcooper.co.nz, May 2018
SILVER MEDAL - International Organic Wine Awards 2017
SILVER MEDAL - New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 2017
"Bright, light straw-yellow colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is finely concentrated with deep aromas of citrus and stone-fruits melded with mealy and nutty notes, along with a layering of creamy barrel-ferment and lemon-curd MLF elements. Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and vibrant with bright flavours of citrus fruits entwined with mealy nutty and toasty oak, along with creamy and lemon-curd MLF richness. The flavours are balanced and cut by fresh, lacy acidity, the wine flowing with some underlying alcoholic power, leading to a soft-textured, lingering finish of toast and nuts. This is a fresh, vibrant Chardonnay with rich citrus, mealy and nutty flavours along with toasty oak and integrated lemon-curd MLF notes."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2017
"This youthful, fleshy wine is invitingly fragrant, with a slightly creamy, nutty bouquet. It has generous, peachy, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity and excellent vigour and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, Listener magazine, July 22 2017 issue
"Grilled brioche and peaches paint a rich picture on the nose of the 2016 Chardonnay Headwaters Organic, but the palate is only medium-bodied and gives a different, tight-laced impression. Lean, citrusy elements dominate in the mouth, leading to a tart, crisp finish. Give this a year or two in the cellar to flesh out."
89 POINTS - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, Feb 2018
"This classy Chardonnay is more affordable than many. Estate-grown near Renwick, it was fermented with indigenous yeasts in tanks and barrels, with some use of new French oak, and given a softening malolactic fermentation. Mouthfilling, with a highly attractive bouquet, it has strong, ripe, grapefruit and peach flavours, showing good complexity, fresh acidity and a long, tightly structured finish. Certified organic."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper,New Zealand Wines Buyer's Guide, www.michaelcooper.co.nz , May 2018
Exuberant grapefruit and peach overlay warm mealy, spicy notes. The palate follows seamlessly and adds cashew and more exotic fruits. Smoothly textured with great minerality, the wine is focused and concentrated and displays tension and length.
The fruit was harvested in excellent condition from our certified organic Headwaters Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The juice was briefly settled then fermented in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeast. The wine was then allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. After a long time on lees, to promote mouthfeel, integration and complexity, the components were blended, lightly fined and bottled early in the new year.
This award winning organic Chardonnay would thrive paired with poultry or fish.
4.5 STARS - Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, Jul 2016
GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards 2016
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Richly scented bouquet of sweet new oak and ripe tree and stone fruit, baking spice and plenty of energy. On the palate - fresh, dry, lightly creamy texture and quite youthful with a bite of new oak, medium acidity and crunchy fresh fruit flavours - apples, yellow plum and white peach. Quite weighty with a long (ish) finish."
-Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout NZ
"Brilliant straw-yellow colour with light golden hues, pale on the rim. The nose is full, soft and rich with aromas of ripe citrus fruits melded harmoniously with layers of creamy barrel-ferment, lemon-curd and butterscotch MLF, and toasty oak detail. The aromatics have an underlying thread of freshness. Medium-bodied, this has soft, full and up-front flavours of tropical fruits and ripe citrus fruits entwined with creamy and nutty barrel-ferment layers and butterscotch MLF. The flavours are gently mouthfilling, but the palate possesses a good core with acidity and fine textures that carry the wine to a soft, lingering finish of citrus fruit, toast and butterscotch. This is a soft, mouthfilling Chardonnay with citrus, toast and butterscotch flavours."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, July 2016
"A beautifully styled chardonnay, the complex bouquet shows nectarine, rock melon and citrus characters with nuances of gun smoke and cedar. The palate delivers excellent focus and mid palate weight, backed by firm acidity. A flinty style offering elegant fruit intensity with a lingering crisp finish."
4.5 STARS - Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, July 2016
"The 2015 vintage, certified organic, has an invitingly fragrant, slightly creamy and nutty bouquet. A youthful, fleshy wine, it has generous, ripe, peachy, citrusy and slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity, a minerally streak, and excellent vigour, depth and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"The 2015 Chardonnay Headwaters Organic has notes of apricots and grapefruit with hints of lightly browned toast and marzipan. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with lively citrus and stone fruit flavors complimented by a savory yeastiness, finishing with very good length."
89 POINTS - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, June 2017
GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards 2016
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Richly scented bouquet of sweet new oak and ripe tree and stone fruit, baking spice and plenty of energy. On the palate - fresh, dry, lightly creamy texture and quite youthful with a bite of new oak, medium acidity and crunchy fresh fruit flavours - apples, yellow plum and white peach. Quite weighty with a long (ish) finish."
-Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout NZ
"Brilliant straw-yellow colour with light golden hues, pale on the rim. The nose is full, soft and rich with aromas of ripe citrus fruits melded harmoniously with layers of creamy barrel-ferment, lemon-curd and butterscotch MLF, and toasty oak detail. The aromatics have an underlying thread of freshness. Medium-bodied, this has soft, full and up-front flavours of tropical fruits and ripe citrus fruits entwined with creamy and nutty barrel-ferment layers and butterscotch MLF. The flavours are gently mouthfilling, but the palate possesses a good core with acidity and fine textures that carry the wine to a soft, lingering finish of citrus fruit, toast and butterscotch. This is a soft, mouthfilling Chardonnay with citrus, toast and butterscotch flavours."
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, July 2016
"A beautifully styled chardonnay, the complex bouquet shows nectarine, rock melon and citrus characters with nuances of gun smoke and cedar. The palate delivers excellent focus and mid palate weight, backed by firm acidity. A flinty style offering elegant fruit intensity with a lingering crisp finish."
4.5 STARS - Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, July 2016
"The 2015 vintage, certified organic, has an invitingly fragrant, slightly creamy and nutty bouquet. A youthful, fleshy wine, it has generous, ripe, peachy, citrusy and slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity, a minerally streak, and excellent vigour, depth and harmony."
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"The 2015 Chardonnay Headwaters Organic has notes of apricots and grapefruit with hints of lightly browned toast and marzipan. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with lively citrus and stone fruit flavors complimented by a savory yeastiness, finishing with very good length."
89 POINTS - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, June 2017
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