Chardonnay 2024

98 / 100 points, 5 stars

Perfectly poised and harmonious with alluring complexity, the wine shows rockmelon, lemon peel, vanilla, savoury pastry, and cedar nuances on the nose. It’s powerful yet graceful with exceptional concentration and persistence. Wonderfully framed by creamy texture and fine acidity, it’s impeccably balanced with a sustained, captivating finish. At its best: 2027 to 2038.

- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

96 / 100 points, 5 stars

Elegant, weighty, flavoursome and tantalisingly complex chardonnay with oyster shell, ginger and nutty yeast lees flavours. Deliciously accessible now but with the potential to develop an even silkier texture with bottle age. 

- Bob Campbell

Vineyards from three sub regions have been blended to make this Chardonnay, Mangatahi, Havelock North and Bridge Pa. Beautiful handpicked fruit resulted in all cases, with intense aromas and flavours. All vineyards are sustainably managed and both young and mature, established vines comprise this blend. A lovely balance of weight and extract along with bright fresh fruit. Canopy management, yield management and irrigation control has been excellent.

The Chardonnay grapes have been hand picked and cool stored overnight. The chilled bunches were hand sorted the following morning and then whole bunch pressed. The majority of fruit was cold settled, then racked to barrel, while some juice went directly from the press to barrel. Indigenous and cultured yeast completed fermentation, ageing on gross fermentation lees for approximately 10 months with some lees stirring. New and one year old French oak barriques, well- seasoned were selected.

Abundant lively lemon peel and grapefruit notes notate this wine. A rich Chardonnay with lovely weight of flavour with a line of tension that will unfold with time. Energetic and exciting cellaring will reward greatly. Pristine fruit and lively acidity provide extra structure and support to the sensitive French oak and yeast influences. Texture abounds in the mouthfeel, with lovely density, whilst vibrant and fresh now, this wine is structured to age beautifully.