Čuvar Guardians Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2024

Description

Apple, Oak, Pastry

"Gorgeously styled and expressed, the alluring bouquet reveals ripe peach, rockmelon, vanilla, oatmeal, and roasted hazelnut aromas. The palate displays excellent weight, creamy texture, and beautifully pitched acidity, making it wonderfully harmonious and lingering with delectable flavours. At its best: now to 2031" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2026

"Hues of dark red and purple with a magenta-pink rim lead to a bouquet of ripeness and concentration, spice and peppercorn, blackberry and black currant with seams of oak spice and dark clay soil suggestions. A dry wine with weight and intensity striking the palate first, varietal flavours of dark berries and barrel spice, some wood smoke and baking spices. Firm tannins with plenty of polish and a backbone of acidity add mouthfeel and length. A lovely example with best drinking from day of purchase through 2033+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Apr 2026

Notes of ripe nectarine and lemon zest, interwoven with a distinct mineral thread. Subtle hints of roasted cashew, derived from carefully selected oak and thoughtful lees ageing, add depth and complexity. The palate is unctuous and creamy, its generous weight beautifully balanced by fresh, vibrant acidity. Gentle oak spice and delicate savouriness flow seamlessly through to a long, mouth-filling finish.

Rivermere - 73% Located on the southern banks of the Ngaruroro River. Young, deep and free draining alluvial gravels. Kokako Farms - 17% On the northern banks of the Ngaruroro River in the Ohiti Gravels sub region. A dry and warm microclimate perfect for ripening chardonnay. Mere Road - 10% Planted on a river terrace of silt and gravel formed by the Ruhanui tributary of the Ngaruroro river.

The 2024 vintage will go down as one of the finest ever seen in Hawke's Bay. A cool, extended flowering period in spring 2023 resulted in lower than average yields, naturally concentrating flavours. The remainder of the growing season was near perfect, with warm days and cool nights allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.

Picked early in the morning to retain freshness, pressed to tank for a short settling period before fermentation. 36% new, 49% one year old and 15% older seasoned French oak barriques. Lees stirred for several months to aid palate weight and increased complexity. Approximately 70% malolactic fermentation. 10 months on yeast lees prior to blending.