• French oak
• Yellow stonefruit
• Citrus & minerality
• Complex 

"Gorgeously complex and inviting, the wine shows ripe peach, fig, lemon peel and vanillin oak characters on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate that is wonderfully expansive and creamy. It is opulent and sophisticated with an impressively long refined finish" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2019

"Bright, light straw-yellow with a gold hue and some depth, even colour throughout. The nose is elegant with good intensity aromas of stonefruit, citrus, melded with fennel, hazelnut, toasted coconut and creamy underlay. Medium-bodied, a vivid presence of citrus fruit of lemon, grapefruit and its pith, along with white peach, raw fennel took centre stage, unfolding hazelnut, cream and toasty oak element. The creamy mouthfeel is smooth flowing, provides body weight and balance to the electric acid drive. The acidity has good tension and energy flow, youthful and appealing, carries a chalky phenolic and citrus flavours to linearity. The use of new oak created mealy notes of hazelnut, toasted coconut, added subtle layers and complexity. This is a young Chardonnay with flavours of citrus and stonefruit, toasty oak element, electric acid drive on a creamy palate, has excellent potential for further ageing. Match with Crayfish Thermidor and chicken with chestnut over the next 5-8 years" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, Aug 2020

"The rich, tightly structured 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Te Awanga (principally) and in the Bridge Pa Triangle, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for a year in French oak barrels (26 per cent new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe stone-fruit flavours, biscuity, mealy notes adding complexity, and a crisp, sustained finish. A refined, tight-knit, still youthful wine, it's well worth cellaring" Michael Cooper, Buyer's Guide 2021

"Bright pale lemon in colour with fantastically complex aromas of ripe citrus, white fleshed stone fruits, floral notes and lashings of smoky oak. The palate is more elegant and fresher than you might expect thanks to a big splash of acidity bringing the nectarine, apple and mandarin flavours to life. A long, lingering oak spice finish leaves you wanting more" The Wine Writer, Oct 2021

"Sophisticated bouquet with aromas of ripe yellow peach and brazil-nut, new wood aromas and red apple, citrus and dry stone mineral. On the palate - full-bodied, fruity, woody and, nutty with flavours that reflect the bouquet. Cashew and creamy, fine wood tannins, medium+ (ish) acidity and and lengthy varietally intense finish. Well made, drink now and through 2025" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Mar 2021

This wine displays yellow stonefruit and citrus characters with a toasty oak palate. It is finely concentrated and has subtle mineral elements. The exceptional fruit purity, concentration and complexity are the hallmarks of their Elephant Hill Reserve Chardonnay. Beautiful to drink now or cellar to 2026.

The coastal Te Awanga vineyard has proven a special site for Chardonnay. Majority of Clone 15 and 95 from Te Awanga vineyard and small amount of fruit from our Triangle vineyard.

2017 was a challenging year for the whole of Hawke’s Bay industry. At Elephant Hill however they believe in maximizing their input to achieve the best they can in any one season. With a ‘no-holds’ barred approach they believe they can still produce superior quality wines which typify the season.

Whole bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast. The wine was aged in 25% new French oak for 12 months with some lees stirring, minimal malolactic fermentation.

Established in 2003, Elephant Hill located within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean on the idyllic Te Awanga coast of Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. Reserve wines are only made when the fruit displays optimum ripeness and quality. Their philosophy is to preserve the varietal integrity of the fruit from their vineyards.