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"Big, rich, generously-proportioned Chardonnay" Bob Campbell, MW

Wonderfully mouthfilling peach & biscuity flavours, with fine French oak adding delicious creamy toastiness

Enjoy with creamy shrimp alfredo fettuccine, topped with parmesan & a splash of lemon

Mills Reef Elspeth Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016

Member rating / 2
$32.99p/Btl
Elsewhere $39.99 $34.77
Awarded 5 Stars Awarded 5 Stars Black Market 5 Stars Awarded 95/100 Points Awarded 94/100 Points Awarded Top 100
Mills Reef Elspeth Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016

Mills Reef Elspeth Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016

Member rating / 2
The grapes for this superior Chardonnay were sourced from the ultra-premium vineyard site at Mere Road Vineyard... .
$32.99p/Btl
Elsewhere $39.99 $34.77

Accolades

Awarded 5 Stars

Michael Cooper, Wine Guide 2019

Awarded 95/100 Points & 5 Stars

Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, May 2019

Awarded 94/100 Points

Cameron Douglas, Master of Wine

Awarded Top 100

Gourmet Traveller

Description

"Big, rich, generously-proportioned Chardonnay with toast, brioche, struck flint, mineral and nutty oak around a core of peach, apricot and grapefruit. A complex wine that promises to become even more interesting with greater bottle age" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, May 2019

This distinguished single vineyard Chardonnay shows strength and finesse, its wonderfully mouthfilling peach and biscuity flavours, with fine French oak adding delicious creamy toastiness to the very long fruit profile, finishes soft and spicy. It is instantly appealing with the potential to age gracefully, if preferred.

2016 was an excellent vintage in Hawkes Bay, allowing the fruit to be picked unhurried at optimal ripeness. The grapes for this superior Chardonnay were sourced from the ultra-premium vineyard site at Mere Road Vineyard.

The fruit was handpicked on 22 March 2016, whole-bunch pressed and transferred into barrel for alcoholic fermentation with specially selected yeasts to optimise the Chardonnay flavour profile while adding interest and depth. Approximately 42% of the wine was put through malolactic fermentation to bring enhanced and softened texture. Both the MLF and the non-malo portions were blended, and aged in quality 100% French oak (52% new) for 11 months sur lie, with frequent stirring to release important flavour components. Stringent barrel selection followed in February 2017 to compose the final wine, before bottling under screwcap on 20 March 2017.

Elspeth represents the top tier of wines produced from the Mills Reef vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. The fruit is hand-picked and only under the Elspeth label when fruit is of exceptional quality. The winemaking team share the philosophy of a hands-on, no expense spared approach to produce these fine award winning wines. The range is limited to chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux style reds.

Seal

Screw Cap

Payment

Alcohol

12.9%

Delivery

NZ (from $5.99)

Member Rating

5 Stars

User comments (1)

Add comment
J
luscious full on chardonnay

Julia - 12/08/2019


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