Hawkes Bay Chardonnay

This is a rich style of Chardonnay with an accent on strong fruit flavours. Ripe melon, nectarine, and summer peach aromas abound with oak hints of cedar and spice and a long, full, yet soft finish.

Vineyard

This Chardonnay is a mix of the Mendoza clone and Clone15 from the Bridge Pa and Crownthorpe areas in Hawke’s Bay. Free-draining stony silty loams are the predominant soil type in this area. The crop was kept low and well exposed to ensure good even ripening and flavour development.

Winemaking

This Chardonnay was cool fermented with both aromatic and Burgundy style yeasts in barrels and stainless steel tanks. Once fermentation was completed, the wine was left for an extended period on yeast lees to promote textural qualities and mouthfeel. A portion of the wine went through Malolactic fermentation to soften acidity and add warm buttery notes. The wine exhibits pineapple and grapefruit flavours with a rich mealy texture.

Technical Notes:

pH: 3.58

TA: 6.6 g/L

RS: Dry

Winemaker: Miles Dineen

Reviews: 

2022
Awarded 91pts from Wine Orbit – Sam Kim
Awarded Silver from CWSA

2020
Awarded 91pts from Wine Orbit – Sam Kim

2019
Awarded 91pts by Sam Kim

2018
Awarded 92pts by Cameron Douglas MS
Awarded Silver by CWSA Best Value

2017
Awarded 90pts by Bob Campbell and a Top Value wine
Awarded 91pts by Sam Kim

2015
Awarded Gold by CWSA
Awarded 4.5 stars by Wine Orbit
Awarded 89 points by Cameron Douglas MS

2014
Awarded 5 stars by Wine Orbit