Novum Riverbrook Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Concentrated Chardonnay made from old vines

When you think of New Zealand Chardonnay, many people may imagine bright fruitiness and a pronounced oak aroma.

But this wine is a little different.

The main flavors are mineral and salty , and the fruit is subdued, emphasizing the strong umami flavor, making this a very elegant Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is a variety that clearly reflects the producer's thinking.

Novum owners Will and Rachel aim for a Burgundian balance: minerality, acidity, and texture take center stage, with the oak receding into the background.

From old trees grown in a field full of stones

The grapes for this wine are grown at Riverbrook Vineyard , which, as its name suggests, is located on what was once a river. The Chardonnay vines are over 45 years old, which is quite rare in New Zealand.

Beneath the fields are scattered rocks called greywacke, a mixture of sandstone and slate .

When I actually visited, Will took me to the nearby Wairau River .

On the riverbank, many of the same stones as those in the fields were exposed, piled up in layers.

"This area, the Wairau Valley, has always been a place of 'being with stone.'"

said Will.

The bold idea of ​​"putting stones" in a barrel

One thing that cannot be left out when talking about this wine is the vinification process using stones .

To be honest, I was surprised when I heard the explanation. "I've never heard of putting stones inside a barrel to ferment and age sake!"

However, in the summer of 2023, Will suddenly had an idea while working in the fields.

"If we put the stones unique to this place into the barrels during fermentation and aging, wouldn't that create the ideal wine?"

He has three main goals.

1. Maintaining a smooth fermentation temperature . Stones are natural heat conductors, mitigating sudden temperature changes during fermentation and helping the yeast to work until the very end.

② Expressing a mineral feel: The acidity of the wine causes a small amount of minerals to dissolve from the surface of the stones, more directly conveying the individuality of the vineyard.

3) Nuances similar to those of concrete aging By adding a "neutral presence" to the barrel, the texture is given a rounded and calming feel.

So, what is the effect? Now it's time for a tasting at Will's farm.

Tasting Comments

The aroma is of white peach and citrus peel, with a hint of lime. The fruitiness is not prominent, giving it a subdued impression, but there are hints of a more complex flavor.

And then, I put it in my mouth. The texture is so smooth! The acidity is pleasant, not harsh. It has a pineapple-like flavor (but it's not sweet at all), and a fruity feel like quince , but from the middle, saltiness and minerals start to spread.

The oak is understated, the aftertaste is incredibly long, and the finish is mellow. I felt that perhaps the stones inside contributed to the overall mellowness and beautiful minerality .

The more you drink it, the better the Chardonnay becomes . Amazing!

Awards

[2020 Vintage Chardonnay]

Selected as the TOP Chardonnay of 2020 Marlborough with 95 points in "The Real Review" by BOB CAMPBELL MW.

Ned Goodwin MW also gave it 95 points.

Pairing suggestions

The umami of the ingredients and a little bit of fat make this wine even more brilliant.

seafood

• Flounder carpaccio
• Grilled scallops with butter

meat dishes

• Roast chicken
• Low-temperature roasted pork

cheese

• Matured Comte
• Gruyère

It definitely goes well with Japanese food, such as grilled salted white fish and dishes that use dashi and oil.

Recommended for:

• Those who are getting a little tired of fruit-oriented Chardonnay
• Those who want to enjoy wine slowly with their meal
• Those who like wines that reflect the individuality of the vineyard and the winemaker's ingenuity

This wine is a very challenging attempt to "convey the memory of the stones in the land into the wine."

We hope you will experience the winemakers ' sincerity in creating delicious wine and their challenging spirit .

About the winery "Novum Wines"

Novum Wines is a family-run boutique winery founded in 2016 in Marlborough, a renowned wine region on New Zealand's South Island. Founder Will Hoare is the son of a grape farmer who was born and raised in Marlborough. After gaining experience at Cloudy Bay and Frome, he and his wife Rachel went independent. Driven by their desire to "deliver honest wines using only the finest grapes," they began producing small-batch, high-quality wines.

We select only "special plots" from our own fields and those of trusted growers.

Novum sources grapes not only from its own family vineyards, but also from the vineyards of trusted growers with whom it has long-standing relationships. However, it does not purchase the entire vineyard, but only the "smallest, highest quality plots" within each. By carefully examining the soil, slope orientation, and microclimate, it selects only the spots that will enhance the concentration of the grapes, such as "several rows on the eastern side of the slope" or "rocky, well-drained depressions." This plot selection is Novum's greatest commitment.

Minimal intervention and natural yeast. Creating wine that allows the grapes to "become what they want to be."

The brewing process is as simple as possible. It is based on natural fermentation using wild yeast, and is unfined and unfiltered, bringing out the natural characteristics of the fruit. French oak is used for aging, The use of barrels is very sparing.

The world is paying attention to Marlboro's "next standard"

World-renowned wine critics such as Jancis Robinson, Bob Campbell and Cameron Douglas have given high scores to their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, describing them as "the embodiment of Marlborough's future." Despite being a small winery, its presence continues to grow year by year.

Sustainability is a "result" - honest and straightforward

Novum practices organic farming and high-density planting, and all grapes used come from certified sustainable vineyards. However, they do not boast excessively about this, instead maintaining the stance that "growing good grapes will ultimately be good for the environment." Novum is a winemaker whose actions speak for themselves.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Novum Riverbrook Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

item	Content
Winery Name	Novum
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape varieties	Chardonnay
Vintage	2024
Alcohol content	14.0%
capacity	750ml
remarks	cork