At the table with Rachel 2016
Roasted duck breast with sweet spices, grilled salmon fillet with herbs, rack of lamb in a herb crust, wild mushroom risotto, roasted chicken with root vegetables.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Rachel 2016Seresin Estate
Located in the Marlborough wine region, at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, Seresin Estate cultivates its vines in the Wairau Valley, near the town of Blenheim. The vineyard benefits from a cool maritime climate, marked by a strong oceanic influence, abundant sunshine, and cooler nights that preserve the natural freshness of the grapes. The soils are primarily composed of alluvial gravels and silts, offering efficient drainage and moderate yields, which promotes aromatic concentration and precise terroir expression.
The Pinot Noir grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and mostly destemmed, with a small proportion of whole bunches. Fermentation takes place in open-top vats, with manual pump-overs and punch-downs to gently extract color and tannins. After pressing, the wine is transferred to French oak barrels, including a proportion of new wood, for a long aging on fine lees before blending and bottling without excessive filtration, to preserve the silky texture and aromatic complexity.
This wine reveals notes of black cherry, ripe plum, and raspberry, complemented by floral touches of violet and peony, as well as spicy nuances of sweet pepper and clove. Woody accents of toasted oak and vanilla mingle with a subtle smoky undertone. On the palate, the texture is silky, supported by fresh acidity, fine and polished tannins, and a persistent finish that remains elegant and harmonious.
Where are we traveling?
MarlboroughNew Zealand
It is located at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, bordered by the shimmering waters of the Marlborough Sounds to the north and the foothills of the Richmond Ranges to the south. The vineyards extend mainly over the alluvial plains of the Wairau Valley and the higher slopes of the Southern Valleys and the Awatere Valley, in a luminous landscape of stony terraces bordered by snow-capped mountains. The viticultural history is surprisingly recent: it all began in 1973, when the Montana winery (now Brancott Estate) planted the first Sauvignon Blanc and Müller-Thurgau vines on land then thought too cold for viticulture. Success was dazzling, and Cloudy Bay's first vintage in 1985 cemented Marlborough's status as a global phenomenon that single-handedly redefined the style of Sauvignon Blanc. The climate is cool and sunny, benefiting from the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, tempered by cool nights and dry winds descending from the mountains, preserving a crisp acidity and aromas of striking intensity. Marlborough has established itself as the world capital of Sauvignon Blanc, producing explosive wines with notes of passionfruit, gooseberry, and lime zest, complemented by increasingly respected elegant and fruity Pinot Noirs, fresh and precise Chardonnays, and traditional method sparkling wines that demonstrate a region whose ambition now far exceeds its founding grape variety.
The little history of the country
New Zealand
Introduced in 1819, vine growing was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there from January 1838 onwards to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After setbacks caused first by phylloxera and then by the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, when their area doubled. Today, New Zealand has 10 main wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are much closer than that (with the exception of the semi-continental Central Otago region). A spine of mountains running down the centre of the country shields most of the main wine regions from the strong westerly winds off the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties". Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast. The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it is no coincidence that New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its emblem, just like its sheep, its kiwis and its legendary haka!
All about Rachel 2016
At what temperature should Rachel 2016 be served?
Between 14 and 16 °C.
How long can Rachel 2016 be kept?
Ageing potential: 5 to 10 years. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Rachel 2016?
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir. Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand. Alcohol: 13.5%.
What to serve with Rachel 2016?
Rachel 2016 pairs well with lamb, vegetarian dishes, oily fish and white meat. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.