95 Points - Cameron Douglas
"Fabulous bouquet with complexity and power, a core of barrel spices, raw cashew nut and roasted yellow fleshed stone fruits, stony earthy qualities and natural seductive charm. A youthful wine touches the palate first with a mix of fresh and roasted stone fruits, new and aged wood flavours, tannin and acid textures then grapefruits and spice. Full-bodied with a youthful energy, salivating mouthfeel with a roasted nut, wood spice and core of virtual fruit. A delicious wine that needs cellar time to develop and settle in. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029+."

Winery note
"From our coastal vineyard where the sea breezes moderate temperatures, this block is situated on the banks of the Wairau Diversion. The silts and river stones combined with our 16 – 20- year-old Mendoza clone vines are the perfect match. The 2021 vintage was rewarding for our Chardonnay which arrived at the winery in pristine condition, perfectly ripe and full of flavour. Winemaking Our winemaking practices remain very similar from one year to the next. The grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed and the juice settled briefly before being racked to French oak barrels (22% new). The juice was fermented ‘wild’ and encouraged to undergo full malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked from barrel and blended prior to being bottled here at the winery some ten months later."

This wine offers enticing aromas of lemon, honeysuckle and brioche with subtle hints of smoke and bees’ wax. The palate is rich and is full flavoured - a balance of concentrated, ripe fruit and toasty French oak offset by a thread of fresh, citrus acidity