Oraterra Chardonnay Martinborough 2023
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2023
Farming: Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative
Winemaking: Hand-harvested, wild fermentation in large-format oak (300–500L), 15 months on lees, bottled unfined and unfiltered
Alcohol: 12.5%
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.8 g/L
The Wine
Sourced from the historic McCreanor Vineyard, planted in the 1980s on the Martinborough Terrace, this Chardonnay embodies the essence of its terroir. The 2023 vintage, despite its challenges, yielded a wine of remarkable balance and complexity. After a light settling, the juice was racked into large format (300-500L) barrels for a spontaneous ferment.
MLF started naturally in October/November, the wine remained in barrel until the 2024 harvest started. It was then transferred into large 1000-litre oak vessels for another four months of maturation on lees.
Cellared Says
A luminous expression of Martinborough Chardonnay, this wine showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the Oraterra team. Aromas of nougat, fennel seed, and peach-like perfume lead to a palate that is soft, plush, and round, with a salivating acidity that brings freshness and playfulness. Extended maturation in large oak barrels imparts a harmonious integration of fruit weight, creaminess, and acidity. Its textural elegance and vibrant acidity make it a compelling addition to any cellar.
Reviews
“Winemaker Wilco Lam says he and the team are chasing texture rather than aroma in his chardonnay: restrained, subtle, minerally to smell, but fills the mouth with a flood of honeyed nuts and savoury length.”
– Max Allen AFR
“A light straw yellow colour in the glass. Varietally pure aromas of peach, almond, tarragon, lemon curd, oat biscuit, apple and orange blossom. Dry, youthful and packed with energy on the palate – which also has an immediate sense of silky texture. A direct, salivating acidity whisks you in a line through the middle, with toasty oak and savoury elements popping up alongside. Weight and plushness are definitely a factor, but the overall character is one of finesse and completeness. A finish of singular length and persistence.”
96 points — David Walker Bell, WineFolio
“This chardonnay has impressive creamy complexity, aromas of baked stonefruit and fennel are licked with pineapple and butterscotch. All these elements osmose across the palate and are bolstered by silky, nougat-like textures, refreshing acidity and a splash of sublime salinity to finish. An elegant and stately sip.”
— Yvonne Lorkin
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2023
Farming: Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative
Winemaking: Hand-harvested, wild fermentation in large-format oak (300–500L), 15 months on lees, bottled unfined and unfiltered
Alcohol: 12.5%
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.8 g/L
The Wine
Sourced from the historic McCreanor Vineyard, planted in the 1980s on the Martinborough Terrace, this Chardonnay embodies the essence of its terroir. The 2023 vintage, despite its challenges, yielded a wine of remarkable balance and complexity. After a light settling, the juice was racked into large format (300-500L) barrels for a spontaneous ferment.
MLF started naturally in October/November, the wine remained in barrel until the 2024 harvest started. It was then transferred into large 1000-litre oak vessels for another four months of maturation on lees.
Cellared Says
A luminous expression of Martinborough Chardonnay, this wine showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the Oraterra team. Aromas of nougat, fennel seed, and peach-like perfume lead to a palate that is soft, plush, and round, with a salivating acidity that brings freshness and playfulness. Extended maturation in large oak barrels imparts a harmonious integration of fruit weight, creaminess, and acidity. Its textural elegance and vibrant acidity make it a compelling addition to any cellar.
Reviews
“Winemaker Wilco Lam says he and the team are chasing texture rather than aroma in his chardonnay: restrained, subtle, minerally to smell, but fills the mouth with a flood of honeyed nuts and savoury length.”
– Max Allen AFR
“A light straw yellow colour in the glass. Varietally pure aromas of peach, almond, tarragon, lemon curd, oat biscuit, apple and orange blossom. Dry, youthful and packed with energy on the palate – which also has an immediate sense of silky texture. A direct, salivating acidity whisks you in a line through the middle, with toasty oak and savoury elements popping up alongside. Weight and plushness are definitely a factor, but the overall character is one of finesse and completeness. A finish of singular length and persistence.”
96 points — David Walker Bell, WineFolio
“This chardonnay has impressive creamy complexity, aromas of baked stonefruit and fennel are licked with pineapple and butterscotch. All these elements osmose across the palate and are bolstered by silky, nougat-like textures, refreshing acidity and a splash of sublime salinity to finish. An elegant and stately sip.”
— Yvonne Lorkin
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2023
Farming: Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative
Winemaking: Hand-harvested, wild fermentation in large-format oak (300–500L), 15 months on lees, bottled unfined and unfiltered
Alcohol: 12.5%
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.8 g/L
The Wine
Sourced from the historic McCreanor Vineyard, planted in the 1980s on the Martinborough Terrace, this Chardonnay embodies the essence of its terroir. The 2023 vintage, despite its challenges, yielded a wine of remarkable balance and complexity. After a light settling, the juice was racked into large format (300-500L) barrels for a spontaneous ferment.
MLF started naturally in October/November, the wine remained in barrel until the 2024 harvest started. It was then transferred into large 1000-litre oak vessels for another four months of maturation on lees.
Cellared Says
A luminous expression of Martinborough Chardonnay, this wine showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the Oraterra team. Aromas of nougat, fennel seed, and peach-like perfume lead to a palate that is soft, plush, and round, with a salivating acidity that brings freshness and playfulness. Extended maturation in large oak barrels imparts a harmonious integration of fruit weight, creaminess, and acidity. Its textural elegance and vibrant acidity make it a compelling addition to any cellar.
Reviews
“Winemaker Wilco Lam says he and the team are chasing texture rather than aroma in his chardonnay: restrained, subtle, minerally to smell, but fills the mouth with a flood of honeyed nuts and savoury length.”
– Max Allen AFR
“A light straw yellow colour in the glass. Varietally pure aromas of peach, almond, tarragon, lemon curd, oat biscuit, apple and orange blossom. Dry, youthful and packed with energy on the palate – which also has an immediate sense of silky texture. A direct, salivating acidity whisks you in a line through the middle, with toasty oak and savoury elements popping up alongside. Weight and plushness are definitely a factor, but the overall character is one of finesse and completeness. A finish of singular length and persistence.”
96 points — David Walker Bell, WineFolio
“This chardonnay has impressive creamy complexity, aromas of baked stonefruit and fennel are licked with pineapple and butterscotch. All these elements osmose across the palate and are bolstered by silky, nougat-like textures, refreshing acidity and a splash of sublime salinity to finish. An elegant and stately sip.”
— Yvonne Lorkin
