“Smooth silky textured Chardonnay underpinned by crisp acidity and deep lemon aromas which lead into a fleshy, full bodied wine with great balance. This lovely Central Otago Chardonnay is made with hand picked grapes grown on the Highgrange Vineyard, which is situated at 336 to 352 metres above sea level in Pisa, Central Otago. The wine spent nine and a half months in French oak, five per cent of which was new. Rounded”.

This concentrated, bright and citrus-laden Chardonnay showcases the advantages of growing grapes at elevation in a warmer season. There is a delicious combination of fresh citrus, orange zest and apple on the nose, while the palate has incredible fruit purity and exquisite freshness. Each layer comes together in wonderful harmony delivering a very balanced and delicious wine. Intensely focused and fresh in its youth, this wine should develop beautifully for 12+ years.

“The very youthful 2023 vintage (****) is a single-vineyard wine, hand-picked at Pisa, and fermented and matured for nine months in French oak casks (5% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it is fresh, full-bodied and dry, with vigorous, peachy, citrusy flavours, and biscuity, creamy notes adding complexity. Elegant and restrained, it’s a distinctly cool-climate style, likely to be at its best 2026+”.

“A very attractive bouquet of fresh white peach and apple, some grapefruit then gentle spices from barrel, a whisper of lees complexity and white earth mineral quality. A lovely satin touch on the palate with a backbone of acidity, fine fruit and wood spice flavours, white fleshed fruit and some barrel smoke and vanilla. Tannins are super fine adding mouthfeel and length. A balanced and well made wine with ageing, development and cellar time ahead if required. Best drinking from mid to late 2025 through 2030”.

“Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The nose is gently full, with aromas of citrus, apple, peach, cashew, yoghurt, vanilla and subtle spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of lemon and grapefruit melded with apple, peach, unfolding a hint of yoghurt, fine spice and cashew. The wine has youthful fruit and good energy, supported by fresh yet soft acidity. Subtle spice and a lightly creamy mouthfeel contribute complexity. This young Chardonnay is well-made with a citrus core, delicate details and a sleek line. Match with pork and white fish over the next 5+ years. Fruit from the Highgrange Vineyard in Pisa, 60% clone 95 and 40% clone Mendoza. Whole bunch pressed, wild fermented on full solids, 75% underwent MLF, aged 9.5 months, 5% new oak. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts)”.