Elephant Hill EARTH Chardonnay 2021, Hawke's Bay

A bouquet that becomes more complex as the wine opens up in glass. Aromas of orchard fruits - apple and pear, white fleshed stone fruits with some yellow fleshed fruit highlights. There’s a softness and complexity from the oak with a mix of baking spices, nut and new wood tones. A whisper of reduction layers in some gunflint and mineral earth qualities. Excellent weight and texture on the palate with a back bone of acidity contrasted by flavours of stone fruits and now some citrus qualities. The oak layers in mouthfeel and complexity with a fine layer of tannin and breadth across the palate. Delicious, youthful and lengthy, a wine to savor. Best drinking from late 2024 through 2029.

95 Points

Outstanding

RRP from $65.00

Ø  96% Earth vineyard (Bridge Pa), 4% Sea vineyard (Te Awanga)

Ø  38% 1066, 31% 548, 31% Mendoza, handpicked on 9/2 & 2/3

Ø  Whole bunch pressed to barrel, natural primary ferment, partial malolactic (natural)

Ø  12 mths barrel (23% new), occasional stirring, plus 5 mths in tank, all on light lees

Ø  330 cs (9l) produced