• French oak
• White peach
• Hazlenuts
• Focused acidity

"Upfront and splendidly attractive, the wine shows mango, rockmelon, vanillin oak and oatmeal characters on the nose, followed by a sumptuous palate delivering excellent weight and silky flow. Mouthfilling and flavoursome, while remaining harmonious and well structured" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Oct 2022

"Intense and quite complex chardonnay with peach/stone fruit, struck flint, oyster shell, hazelnut and spicy oak flavours. Elegant and attractive wine with a dry and lingering finish" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Oct 2022

"Aromas of ripe pink grapefruit and white peach, lemon and sweet barrel scents. Taut and youthful on the palate with flavours that mirror the bouquet, a distinctive youthful acid line accentuated by fine wood tannins then apple and citrus, white fleshed stone fruits and a fine mineral quality. This is likely the very last vinetage release from this site as the vines have now been pulled. Delicious, fresh, a fine complexity and balanced lengthy finish. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Oct 2022

This wine has a pale yellow straw hue and displays a beautiful array of aromas and flavours. The nose possesses white peach and yellow citrus notes combining with bran biscuit, fresh pastry, hazelnuts, flint and toast. With layers of flavour, the succulent mid-palate mouthfeel reveals textural complexity and poised, focused acidity leading to a long, elegant and memorable finish.

Settled weather conditions late in 2020 provided an optimum environment for flowering and even fruit set. The important ripening months of February and March were warm and dry, perfect conditions for berry flavour development and harvest.

The Ihumatao Vineyard is located within a wind-protected volcanic basin on the edge of the Manukau Harbour in South Auckland. This ancient crater is estimated to be between 30-40,000 years old. The topsoil comprises of peat and clay above a basalt base. Vines range in age up to 15 years and are pruned to one bunch per shoot on VSP trellising. 100% Hand picked and Whole bunch pressed. 100% wild/indigenous yeast. 100% French 228L barriques, 31% New. Tight grain M+ toast. 11 months in barriques, 5 months in tank. Partial malolactic fermentation.