RAPAURA SPRINGS BOULDEVINES VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019

Gold Medal – Marlborough Wine Show 2021

Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"Complex and enticing grapefruit, citrus and white peach characters are complemented by struck-flint, vanilla and spicy oak flavours. This wine is textural, with great balance and length. Immediately enjoyable, this wine will reward cellaring for the next five years.

The fruit was hand picked in the cool of the morning, then taken straight to the winery and whole-bunch pressed. After pressing, the juice was sent to barrel, a selection of older and new oak barrels (47% new) were used. Here it completed wild fermentation, before aging for 10 months.

The Bouldevines Vineyard is located at the entrance to the Omaka Valley, which sits closer to the hills. The soil is stony, alluvial and free-draining. This sub-region is cooler, which allows the grapes to achieve optimum ripeness and expressive fruit flavour, while retaining vibrant acidity."

5 Stars & Number 1 Cuisine NZ Chardonnay Tasting, August 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"A chardonnay from Marlborough taking top spot reinforces the point that this region can do so much more than sauvignon. This single-vineyard wine comes from the Rapaura Springs’ Bouldevines Vineyard in Omaka Valley, where the cooler climate enables grapes to retain the levels of acid needed for fresh, vibrant wines. Although the start of the 2019 season was tricky, with higher rainfall in spring, the summer was long and hot, which ensured rapid ripening and an earlier start to the harvest than expected. Grapes were whole-bunch pressed and put in a combination of new and older oak barrels to undergo a wild ferment, and had 10 months’ ageing before bottling. This wine captured our judges immediately, with powerful presence in the glass and aromas of stonefruit, citrus pith, and glinting gunsmoke on the nose, with a hint of incense. The palate is smartly structured with power and balance. Flavours of white peach, chargrilled nectarine and salted lime are backed with hints of nutty oak, freshly baked cinnamon and spice roll-ups. A superb example of restrained power; the perfect marriage of intensity and class."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, August 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"Complex, edgy and enticing bouquet of Chardonnay – aromas of gun-flint and spice, grapefruit and apple, white peach and flowers. On the palate – equally complex and loaded with texture. Flavours of yellow and white orchard fruits, riper citrus, still edgy with a flinty mineral flavour then some lees-like flavours of white and brown baking spices. The oak is present, but quiet adding a light nutty and mild toasty flavour and complexity. Great balance and length with an intriguing finish."

5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"The classy 2019 vintage was grown on stony soils at the entrance to the Omaka Valley and handled in French oak casks (47 per cent new). Bright yellow/green, with a fragrant, complex, slightly smoky bouquet, it is a powerful wine, mouthfilling and youthful, with vibrant stone-fruit and biscuity oak flavours, a slightly creamy texture, and a very long, harmonious finish. Best drinking 2022+."

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"This compelling chardonnay shows golden peach, vanilla, spicy oak and oatmeal characters on the nose, followed by a sumptuous palate exhibiting impressive concentration and expansive mouthfeel. Multi-layered and plush, while remaining brilliantly structured by creamy texture and bright acidity. At its best: now to 2029."

4 ½ Stars Yvonne Lorkin, August 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"Wow! Crafted from fruit grown in the Omaka Valley, a chardonnay hotspot, this new release from the folk at Rapaura Springs heaves with buttery cinnamon toast terrificness, peachy complexity, a core of cashew-dusted citrus and lush, plush textures all the way through to the finish. It’s a juicy wine, with a tonne of toasty, caramelised characters"