Elephant Hill Chardonnay

2022, Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Quality Hawke's Bay Chardonnay from Elephant Hill's coastal Te Awanga vineyard
5 Stars & 94/100 (Sam Kim), 91/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review), 4 1/2 Stars (Michael Cooper)
"Promoted as 'classic, fresh seaside Chardonnay'...it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe, peachy flavours to the fore, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh, balanced acidity and a dry, lingering finish" (Michael Cooper)
Entirely hand picked, whole bunch pressed, 11 months in oak - drink now or cellar for up to 5 years

From one of the real rising stars in Hawke’s Bay – Elephant Hill are fast proving it’s not just their winery that’s flash as, the wines ain’t bad either! Elephant Hill Chardonnay

Using fruit sourced from their spectacular Te Awanga vineyard site right on the Hawke’s Bay coastline. It’s entirely hand picked fruit, whole bunch pressed and given 12 months in oak.

This is their latest 2022 vintage and it scored 91/100 with Master of Wine Bob Campbell. Bob said “Citrus-forward chardonnay with lemon curd, grapefruit zest flavours together with subtle spicy French oak characters. Stylish entry-level wine with a backbone of mouthwatering acidity.”

Scoring 4 1/2 Stars with another critic Michael Cooper who said “Promoted as ‘classic, fresh seaside Chardonnay’, the youthful, vibrant 2022 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown, and fermented and lees-aged in tanks (80 per cent) and seasoned French oak casks. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe, peachy flavours to the fore, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh, balanced acidity and a dry, lingering finish. Already drinking well, it should be at its best 2025+.”

Drink it now or chuck it in your cellar and let it develop over the next five years. For a Master Chef wine and food pairing take our advice and pair this Chardy with chicken ravioli, chestnut puree, butternut, truffle and sage. Divine!