HUNTRESS CHARDONNAY 2023

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"Discover our first release of Chardonnay from the Osawa Vineyard in the Mangatahi Terraces of Hawke's Bay. This fresh and vibrant wine captures the essence of the region with notes of perfectly ripe rock melon, ginger, peach, and hints of green apple and kumquat. The palate is smooth and satisfying, with lingering spice that adds a delightful complexity.

Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, this Chardonnay underwent wild fermentation in seasoned French oak barriques. Partial malolactic fermentation and aging on yeast lees for 10 months enhanced its texture and flavour, resulting in a beautifully balanced wine. Enjoy this Chardonnay with haloumi, kaimoana (seafood), or pork, preferably with the sun's warmth on your back."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, June 2023 (2023 Vintage)
"Complex and intriguing bouquet, layers of white fleshed fruits sit between those of lees and wild ferment scents, a mix of soil and gentle reductive quality, white peach and apple, grapefruit and a lick of funk. As the wine opens out in glass these ideas evolve into more citrus and a touch of white spice, to peach and lemon, lees spices and moments of wood intervention. Complex, youthful and new with medium+ acidity, some very fine tannins and lengthy individual finish only winemaker Jannine Rickards can achieve. Best drinking from late 2024 through 2029."