"Brilliant straw-yellow colour with pale golden hues, a little lighter on the rim. This has an elegantly concentrated nose with very good intensity of fresh white peaches and stonefruits entwined with gentle aromas of flinty and nutty detail and nuances of minerals. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses fresh, vibrant and finely concentrated flavours of white stonefruits along with a subtle layering of flint and nuts, and hints of minerals. The mouthfeel is fresh and lively, with crisp, racy acidity enhancing the fruit sweetness, and the wine flows along a fine, textural line with good vigour and tension, leading to a taut, long-lingering finish of stonefruits and minerals. This is a very fresh and lively Chardonnay with deep white stonefruit, flinty, nutty and mineral flavours on a taut, lingering palate. Match with seafood and creamy sauced white meat dishes over the next 4 years. Fruit from the ‘Keltern’ ‘Kokako’ and ‘Lyons’ vineyards fully barrel-fermented, partially by indigenous yeasts to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 19% new French oak, with partial MLF conversion" Raymond Chan, Apr 2017

"Strong, tangy, fruity flavours suggesting nectarine, golden peach and grapefruit, with a reasonably assertive oak influence. A bold, full-flavoured wine in a fairly gutsy style, with a suggestion of struck flint reductive character" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, March 2017

"A lovely elegant rendition, the delicately fragrant bouquet shows white stone fruit, lemon pith, brioche and subtle flinty characters. The palate is focused and finely textured, and delivers pristine fruit flavours together with savoury undertones, wonderfully structured by bright acidity. The wines is restrained yet persistent, and offers attractive engaging flavours. At its best: now to 2020" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2017

"Full title - Anthony Joseph Vidal of Hawkes Bay

Lovely bouquet with fresh, ripe white fleshed fruits – apple and citrus, white and some yellow peach, some sulphides add a flinty-like layer; medium+ complexity. On the palate – the complexity continues with a tension and poise, flavours of citrus especially return then white peach, oak spices and flintiness; balanced, fresh, youthful and dry with an intriguing complexity and finish. Drink from late 2018 through 2026" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Sep 2017

The excellent 2016 vintage has produced a classic Hawkes Bay Chardonnay. Beautifully fragrant citrus, floral and complex notes combine on a finely styled and balanced palate.

Juices from gently pressed grapes were partially settled before being racked with light lees to French oak (19% new) for natural and inoculated fermentation. Following this, some batches went through natural malolactic fermentation to balance out natural acidity. Oak barrels were selected for their subtle flavour and aroma profile, adding to the natural complexity gained with extended maturation on lees. Sensitive winemaking has allowed site and season to be reflected, supporting the defined, complex and elegant style of this wine. Bottled 16th February 2017.

Food Pairing: Fish, shellfish, poultry and fresh seasonal salads.