Tony Bish Skeetfield Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2021

Raymond Chan

Bright, straw-yellow with depth and a light green sheen, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is complex and enticing, with aromas of stonefruit, citrus and yellow blossoms entwined with layers of toasty, creamy and spice elements. Medium-full bodied, aromas of peach, apricot, lemon sherbet and pink grapefruit show purity, unveiling toasted brioche, almond, lemon curd and delicate oak spice. The wine is sleek with a seamless acidity flow; it elegantly binds and integrates oak elements and underlines power and structure. Chalky phenolics left a silky, opulent mouthfeel. This sleek Chardonnay possesses pristine fruit with elegant, well-portioned, integrated oak elements on a seamless palate. Match with lemon butter langoustine and hamachi sashimi over the next 8+ years. Dry-farmed Mendoza clone handpicked, whole bunch pressed. 100% barrel-fermented to 14% alc, 60% new Taransaud French oak. 100% MLF, battonage, on lees for 12 months. 19.5/20 pts (98 pts) Sep 2022

Wine Orbit

This is immensely complex and engaging on the nose showing golden peach, nougat, spicy oak and sweet pastry aromas, leading to a superbly concentrated palate displaying outstanding depth and richness, while remaining gracefully harmonious and persistent. Sumptuous and plush with an impressive structured finish. At its best: 2024 to 2035.

The Real Review

Made from grapes grown on mature, unirrigated Mendoza-clone vines in a top vintage. 100% barrel-fermented and matured with 60% new Taransaud French oak. Intense, powerful chardonnay with citrus, oyster shell/saline, white peach and spicy oak flavours. This impressive wine can be enjoyed now but should develop even greater complexity and integration with bottle age.

Din VinGuide

Ananas og toastnoter i duften. En fydlig fadlagret chardonnay fra den nordlige ø. Man fornemmer en flot frugt som er fermenteret og modnet på franske fade. Flot intensitet og man finder masser af lag i vinen. Overbevisende vin i en Meursault stil. 94 – 5 Stjerner | Supervin | 400 kr. Tilbudspris

Din VinGuide

"Ananas og toastnoter i duften. En fydlig fadlagret chardonnay fra den nordlige ø. Man fornemmer en flot frugt som er fermenteret og modnet på franske fade. Flot intensitet og man finder masser af lag i vinen. Overbevisende vin i en Meursault stil. 94 – 5 Stjerner | Supervin | 400 kr. Tilbudspris"

Ketil Sauer, Sommelier

Michael Cooper

If you like powerful, bold, savoury Chardonnays, don't miss the classy, single-vineyard 2021 vintage. Hand-harvested from mature vines at Ohiti, it was fermented and matured for a year in French oak barriques. Bright yellow/green, with a fragrant, complex, smoky bouquet, it is full-bodied, with deep stonefruit flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a finely poised finish. Very ageworthy, it should be at its best 2024+.

Vivino

Wine Orbit

Raymond Chan

20/20 pts (100 pts) I could not fault it. It was an exciting moment when I realised... this is my first 20/20 point wine! Brilliant, bright, moderate yellow-gold, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is voluminous and refined, an elegant bouquet of lemon rind, peach and apricot, entwine with toasty barrels and spice, and custard tarts. Medium-full bodied, calm and integrated flavours of crunchy lemon sherbet, lemon rind, and stonefruit interweave barrel spices, toasted hazelnuts, along with baked custard tarts. The flavours are well-proportioned and refined, multi-layered with punches. The smooth and seamless palate flows with chalky textured mineral, with the perfect amount of acidity and great energy, reminded me of Chassagne Montrachet's fine drops. This is a harmonious, elegant Chardonnay with all the trimmings in perfect proportions. Match with pan-seared foie gras and grilled langoustine over the next 8-10 years. Dry-farmed Mendoza clone handpicked, whole bunch pressed. 100% barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc, 60% new Taransaud French oak. 100% MLF, battonage, on lees for 12 months.