Wine Advisor
Villa Maria, Keltern Chardonnay 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Rebecca Gibb MW
Cuddling skinny people is no fun at all. I wouldn't want to hug me - there's nothing to get hold of, but the 2021 Chardonnay Keltern has curves in all the right places and plenty of substance to hold on to in its middle. Sumptuous is probably a good word to describe the ripe and creamy, full body but don't get the impression this is a soft pudding of a wine. Its rich power is held like a vise, keeping its shape and allowing for a firm, almost relentless finish. In the elite of New Zealand Chardonnays, the 2021 proves it rightly deserves its place.
Reviewed by: Erin Larkin
The 2021 Keltern Chardonnay leads with fresh buttered popcorn, sesame brittle, toasted cashews, yellow peach and even cantaloupe. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy and plump, with loads of plump yellow fruit, saffron and peppercorns. Exotic. Lush, even. There are pistachios and pineapple husk. Very ripe, with juicy acid. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
About the Producer
Founded in 1961, Villa Maria Estate is one of New Zealand's leading wine estates and has been the most awarded wine estate in New Zealand for the past 30 years. This proudly family owned and operated wine estate is renowned for growing grapes in some of New Zealand's finest wine regions and producing premium New Zealand wines. New Marley Estate is still under the personal control of its founder, Sir George Fistonich. The success of New Marley Estate began in the 1980s and continued to grow over the following decades. The winery has been successful for many years and is now known as the most awarded winery in New Zealand, a distinction that reflects New Marley Estate's dedication and commitment to quality at all stages of the winegrowing and winemaking process. Sir George Fistonich, owner of New Marley, believes that the secret to the winery's success is not to chase awards, but to make quality wines that consumers will enjoy, and when this is done, the awards will come. New Marley Estate's major achievements include: 1) the 2011 Honorary Lifetime Award from the British Wine and Spirits Association to owner Sir George Fistonich; 2) being listed in the top 50 global wine producers by the US Wine Spectator magazine; 3) being named New Zealand Wine Company of the Year by the Australian Wine Review magazine (10 times in 11 years); 4) owner Sir George Fistonich 5) Sir George Fedoni was shortlisted by Wine International magazine in 2005 as one of the top 50 people in the global wine industry; 6) George Festonić was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005. Since the establishment of Sustainable Winegrowing and Winemaking New Zealand (SWNZ) in 1995, New Marley Estate has been a member of SWNZ, an organization of New Zealand winegrowers and winemakers that emphasizes economical production of wines and berries that meet market demands for quality, prioritizing the safest production methods for the environment and human health. Each year, Chateau Nouvelle-Marie is audited by SWNZ, providing an important platform for continuous improvement. All New Marly vineyards and wineries are subject to SWNZ certification; new vineyards and wineries are applying for certification. In addition to SWNZ audits, all Nouvelle Mari wineries follow an environmental management system, ISO14001. The overall philosophy of ISO14001 is to systematically reduce the environmental impact of Nouvelle Mari's wine production process. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is committed to a sustainable development path. An energy review of the winery is being implemented to ensure that the environmental impact is minimized.
