The Marlboroughist Chardonnay 2024

Smoky Aroma, Fruity Taste

Chardonnay is one of the world's most popular white grape varieties.

It's often said that "its individuality is its lack of individuality," as its style can drastically change depending on cultivation conditions and winemaking methods.

This Chardonnay from The Marlborist can be described in one word as "toasty and fruity."

First, its aroma is particularly noteworthy.

Pour it into a glass and swirl it gently, and a toasty flavor will rise.

The dominant aromas are like roasted almonds, hazelnuts, vanilla, and smoke, with hints of peach and pear fruit aromas in the background.

However, with the first sip, the impression changes significantly.

It is truly fruity. You can clearly taste the smooth umami reminiscent of tropical fruit flesh like pineapple and mango, and the concentrated flavor of roasted apples.

The aftertaste brings back the nutty and vanilla oak nuances that were first detected in the aroma. In addition, there's a spicy sensation like clove. This is the image of this wine.

The vineyard is located in Marlborough's Southern Valleys, an area with clay soils that produce grapes with excellent concentration.

Cultivation is biodynamic, and the vineyards are organically certified.

The whole-bunch pressed juice is fermented in wooden barrels with wild yeast. After malolactic fermentation, it ages in barrels for 11 months. It is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for another 5 months of aging before being clarified, filtered, and bottled.

"To evolve Marlborough wines and create something special that has never been seen before."

This Chardonnay from The Marlborist embodies such a belief.

Its style, which employs biodynamic farming while achieving a very well-balanced taste, reflects their belief in both respecting nature and fully utilizing modern winemaking knowledge and techniques.

For food pairings, fish baked in butter, such as pan-seared salmon, is excellent.

It also pairs well with cream stews of chicken or pork, and seafood cream sauce pasta. It's also a good match for hearty lasagna.

About the Winery "The Marlborist"

Marlborough, located at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, nestled between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, is their home.

Here, they have acquired winemaking knowledge and skills, working under pioneering winemakers in the region.

Their goal is to express their love for Marlborough through their wines, and to produce the best wines in Marlborough, NZ's largest wine region.

The wines they create express the charm of Marlborough that they experience every day.

Winemaker Rich Ellis is based in Blenheim and produces excellent wines, leveraging his experience at Ata Rangi and Greywacke.

Viticulturist Stu Dudley travels throughout Marlborough, supporting growers and utilizing his extensive knowledge of the region.

Brand Director Dave Nash, based in Auckland, is responsible for branding and storytelling. He also produced the documentary film 'A Seat at the Table', which depicts the New Zealand wine industry.

They source grapes from some of their favorite locations throughout Marlborough and produce wine using simple methods.

Marlborist wines are beautiful, expressive, and elegant, reflecting the charm of Marlborough, a leading NZ wine region.

About the Marlborough Region

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

With abundant sunshine and large diurnal temperature variations, favorable natural conditions for grape growth are present, and Marlborough produces over 80% of NZ's wine.

Among these, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and abundant fruitiness, boasts overwhelming production and is widely loved worldwide as a unique character. For red wines, Pinot Noir, with its attractive rich berry fruit flavors, is popular.

The Marlborist Chardonnay 2024