From the 2015 vintage, the Neudorf Nelson Chardonnay has been named ‘Rosie’s Block’ after founders Tim and Judy Finn’s daughter Rosie. Following overseas experience, Rosie has returned home to the Upper Moutere to take an active role in working in the business. As a consequence, I understand that her mother Judy especially has (had to?) relinquished some of her duties. Knowing Judy’s work ethic, I don’t know if it has been easy for her to let go some of the responsibilities, but it is happening, and I find I am increasingly dealing with Rosie regarding the marketing issues in particular. I’m sure that Judy will enjoy more free time to follow interests that she had not been able to commit to previously!
The ‘Rosie’s Block’ Chardonnay has a wonderful pedigree, and I have found the quality to be up with some of the country’s premium bottlings, even though it sits second to the Neudorf ‘Moutere’ Chardonnay. The wine indeed utilises a high proportion of fruit from ‘Rosie’s Block’, a vineyard site established by the Beuke family who were descendants of the original German settlers in the Upper Moutere district. The Finns obtained the vineyard in 1999 and it is now planted to 7.76 ha, 78% to Chardonnay, 14% to Riesling and 8% to Albarino. The Finns planted in 1999 and added more vines in 2003, 2009 and 2013. It is north-facing, overlooking the Neudorf ‘Home Block’, on Moutere clay gravels, and is dry farmed and organically run. Here, I review the new ‘Rosie’s Block’ Chardonnay. www.neudorf.co.nz
