2019 Elephant Hill Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay

"An excellent and very enticing bouquet of white fleshed orchard fruits, lemon and peach. Layers of fine lees and oak mingle with a gravel and dark clay soil layers adding complexity and power. Dry, full-bodied and intense with flavours and textures from fine tannins and medium+ acidity framing the core flavours of baking spice and citrus then peaches and baked apple qualities. The lees and acidity along with tannins and core varietal qualities deliver a wine with length and complexity. Well made with best drinking from 2024 through 2030."

"Immensely complex and enticing, the bouquet shows golden peach, mango, vanilla and toasted almond characters with a hint of brioche. It's concentrated and wonderfully weighted on the palate, delivering outstanding depth and persistency. Wonderfully structured by beautifully infused acidity, finishing persistent and satisfying. At its best: now to 2030. $44.00. www.elephanthill.co.nz. Aug 2024."

"Bright, even, pale yellow gold with depth. The nose is gentle and precise, with aromas of yellow stonefruit, melon, cashew butter and citrus peels. Full-bodied, aromas of peach and nectarine melded with lemon zest, cashew butter, blossom and a suggestion of melon. Fine-textured phenolics flow smoothly with creamy attributes and acid precision, leaving a silky textured mouthfeel. This 5-year-old Chardonnay is elegantly expressed, with a harmonious integration of enlivening acidity and concentrated fruit elevated by toasty oak details and development. Match with pork stew and roasted guinea fowl over the next 5+ years. Handpicked, 83% SEA vineyard (Te Awanga) and 17% EARTH vineyard (Bridge Pa) whole bunch pressed naturally fermented in French oak barrels, aged 12 months in barrels, 28% new oak, then a further 7 months on light lees in tank before bottling. 13.5% alc. 18.5+/20 pts "