Gold Medal - China Wine and Spirits Awards
94 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Sourced from two great vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, this is a rich barrel fermented Chardonnay in the classic style with the accent on complexity and fruit weight.

The fruit for this wine was harvested, pressed and the juice run immediately to French Barriques, 30% of which were new. Fermentation occurred in barrel with both wild and cultured yeasts to add complexity. Once fermentation was complete the wine remained in barrel on full lees for a total of 10 months, with regular stirring and topping to promote texture and autolytic complexity. A portion (approximately 50%) of the barrels went through Malolactic fermentation in spring to enhance mouthfeel and buttery characters.

Perfect with seafood, roast chicken or huhu grubs sautéed in garlic butter. Already enjoyable, this wine will continue to improve over the next 3 to 7 years.