Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2022

Description

• French oak
• Nectarine
• Nougat & spice
• Juicy acidity

"Elegant and complex, the inviting bouquet shows nectarine, lemon peel, nougat and oatmeal nuances, leading to a finely flowing palate offering excellent weight and persistency. Brilliantly framed by refined texture and juicy acidity, finishing splendidly long and satisfying" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Dec 2023

"Another excellent expression of Chardonnay from the EH stable, aromas and flavours of quince and peach, a spiced barrel and burnt butter & raw cashew-nut quality and mineralised clay and stone soils imagery. A firm texture as the wine touches the palate with a mix of fine tannins and core fruit flavours of grapefruit and peach then reflections of what the bouquet suggested. Plenty of acidity and a fine saline quality. The less is more selection of older barrels, and like a few new as well,  are well placed to allow the core attributes of this wine to revolve around variety and site first. A delicious wine well suited to food or just enjoy on its own - as I did. Best drinking from early 2024 through 2029" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Dec 2022

"Bright, even, pale yellow. The bouquet is attractive with some power, penetrating with aromas of stonefruit, citrus, spice and creamy richness. Medium-full bodied, aromas of peach and nectarine melded with grapefruit, lemon curd, delicate spice and a hint of almond. Enlivening acidity carries the lush fruit and spice on a creamy mouthfeel; spice and almond hints elevate and linger to a toasty finish. This Chardonnay is generous with balanced fruit and acidity and a toasty linger" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Jan 2024

"Citrus-forward chardonnay with lemon curd, grapefruit zest flavours together with subtle spicy French oak characters. Stylish entry-level wine with a backbone of mouthwatering acidity" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Jan 2024

Elephant Hill produces handcrafted, small batch, artisanal wines froma blend of up to three sustainably farmed Hawke's Bay vineyards thateach contributes a distinctive elemental character: SEA, EARTH &STONE.

2022 was one of the warmest years on record with well above long term average heat accumulation days. A dry start and good flowering, then perfectly formed bunches, a sunnt January with some late February rains. It never got hot, just warm, so acids and freshness were still retained in the fruit with a short and compact hervest period. The whites show crisp freshness and reds displays elegant, mid bodied fruit flavours.

100% handpicked Chardonnay, whole bunch pressed, with partial barrel and malolactic fermentations. French oak aged for 12months, 20% new barrels, and a further 6 months in tank all on light lees.