ESK VALLEY ARTISANAL COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2021

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Fermented with wild yeast in French Oak Barriques, our rich Chardonnay has a mix of peach, grilled nuts, butter, grapefruit and subtle oak spice on the palate.

This is a rich and full flavoured Hawkes Bay Chardonnay. Its flavour profile is a mix of peach, grilled nuts, butter, grapefruit with a subtle oak spice. It is both complex and delicious and a classic expression of Hawkes Bay Chardonnay."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, February 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Aromas of fresh peach and raw cashew nut, baked apple and vanilla spice, there’s a moment of fresh yoghurt suggesting some softening of acidity that works nicely alongside the barrel spice and toasty qualities. Plenty of weight and satin texture on the palate, dry with flavours of tree and orchard fruits, citrus and baking spice. The nutty cashew nut quality also returns. Youthful, refreshing and dry. A lovely wine with best drinking from late 2022 through 2028+."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, February 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"It's elegantly fruited and delightfully expressed on the nose showing white flesh stone fruit, lemon peel, nougat and roasted cashew aromas, followed by a soothing palate that's ripe and fleshy. Beautifully harmonious and lingering with appealing complexity. At its best: now to 2026."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"Offering very good value, the 2021 vintage was harvested at Bay View and Maraekakaho, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with deep, youthful, grapefruit-like flavours and a slightly creamy, lingering finish. A finely poised, subtle, savoury wine, it's delicious young."