- 100% Chardonnay
- Sourced from the Kaikora Vineyard in Ōtāne, planted on ancient Pakohe (argillite)
- Hand-harvested
- Whole-bunch pressed directly into French oak barrels
- Indigenous fermentation
- Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months
- No fining or cold settling
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Hawkes Bay
Appellation:
Hawkes Bay
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | NZ-BIL-11-23 | 6/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2025-01-23
"The 2023 Kaikora Vineyard Chardonnay is salty and spicy, with shaved fennel and salted peach, white flowers and ground white pepper. The wine is soft through the finish, in watercolor as opposed to oil, and this potentially fits with the wet conditions of the season. This is a remarkable effort given the conditions, and more than that, the year has gifted the wine with levity and lacy detail. This is a lovely wine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
James Suckling
Score
92
Date
2024-03-10
"A firm and tight chardonnay with sliced cooked apple, citrus and stone character. Medium-bodied with melon and green apples at the end. Straightforward for this vintage. Drink now. Screw cap."
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2025-03-25
"The 2023 Chardonnay Kaikora Vineyard has a more fruit-forward style. It is fresh and approachable, with nectarine fruit, a creamy malo note, flint and a light toasty character on the finish. This is clean, mouthwatering and texturally refined, with the finest of powdery textures on the finish. It has an open style with moderate length."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17
Date
2025-08-15
"Rich, complex nose with just a hint of struck match. Very savoury and saline – quite distinctive! It doesn't have quite the concentration of some earlier vintages but it certainly has style. Very sappy and appetising. Lots to chew on and no hurry to drink. (JR)"