Chardonnay 2019

97/100 | ★★★★★

This is a stunning beauty; exquisitely composed and expressed showing nectarine, lemon peel, nougat, hazelnut and oatmeal aromas on the nose, followed by an impressively concentrated palate offering outstanding fruit purity combined with discreet oak infusion. It's refined and flowing to a persistent seamless finish. At its best: 2023 to 2031

- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

96/100 | ★★★★★

A lively wine that is a delight to drink. A seamless, vibrant wine that's deliciously accessible now but should develop well over the next few years.

- Bob Campbell, The Real Review

★★★★★

Bright, light lemon/green, it looks set for a long life, showing an impressive combination of richness and restraint, power and delicacy. Mouthfilling, with deep, vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, and finely integrated oak, it should break into full stride 2024+.

- Michael Cooper

19+ / 20 | ★★★★★

Bright, pale yellow with some depth and a slight gold hue, even colour throughout. The nose is softly full and elegantly presented; pastry, citrus, mineral, and barrel flint nuances slowly growing, white spices lifted. Medium-full bodied, brilliant intensity, aromas of citrus, pineapple, peaches have a taut core, adorned by brioche and delicate barrel spices.

- Candice Chow

Old vine Mendoza Chardonnay was hand harvested at two vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and chilled overnight. Mangatahi vineyard is inland and elevated with slower ripening, while Bridge Pa ripens Chardonnay beautifully with its red metal soils. Clone 548 was sourced from the Dartmoor Valley.

Low yielding vines, open canopy management, managed irrigation and sustainable winegrowing practices are featured at these sites.

Mendoza’s characteristic ‘hen and chicken’ bunches produced fruit of great intensity, structure and acidity. Clone 548 produced even berry size and lovely fruit vibrancy.

Chilled bunches were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. Most of the juice was cold settled then racked to barrel. For added complexity, fermentation was in new and 1 year old French oak barriques with select cultured and indigenous yeasts. Lees stirring post fermentation was regular, and malolactic fermentation was completed in the barrel. Finally, the Chardonnay matured on lees for 10 months before blending and bottling.

Radburnd’s restrained 2019 Chardonnay will unfold with time. Pure citrus notes are supported by gentle mealiness from yeast influence - held together with balanced acidity. The beautiful structure of Chardonnay enables graceful bottle development and this wine is poised to do just that. Fine subtle sweet French oak completes this elegant wine.

Will age gracefully for the next 5 – 7 years.

Alcohol: 13.5% Total acidity: 6.4 g/l