• Fine French oak
• Peach & apricot
• Toasted nut
• Mouthfilling & creamy

"Bold yet elegant flagship Chardonnay with grapefruit, tree fruit, citrus, struck flint, ginger and toasted nut flavours. A bright, fresh wine with a backbone of lively acidity. Good now but with a promising future" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, May 2020

This distinguished single vineyard Chardonnay exudes presence and finesse. The palate is wonderfully mouth-filling and creamy, with intense peach and apricot flavours in harmony with fine French oak seasoning, leading to a satisfyingly long soft and spicy finish. Instantly appealing, enjoy now or allow to age gracefully with careful cellaring.

2017 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 Mills Reef's ultra-premium vineyard site at Mere Road Vineyard. The fruit was handpicked on 23rd and 24th March 2017, whole-bunch pressed and transferred to barrel for alcoholic fermentation with specially selected yeasts to optimise the Chardonnay flavour profile while adding interest and depth.

Approximately 29% 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 (34% new) for 10 months sur lie, with frequent stirring to release important flavour components. Stringent barrel selection followed in February 2018 to compose the final wine, before bottling under screwcap on 19 March 2018.

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.