TONY BISH HEARTWOOD CHARDONNAY 2021

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The aroma is pure and intense with peach, sweet citrus notes, nutty complexity and lifted vanilla. Complex and enticing. These aromas flow onto the palate which is weighty, rich and pure with defined varietal expression, barrel ferment complexity, and a sustained citrus finish. The French oak and fruit are beautifully balanced."

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Gorgeously complex and enticing, the wine shows nectarine, fig and cedar characters on the nose with nuances of oatmeal and vanilla. It’s equally gratifying on the palate delivering outstanding weight and depth combined with refined mouthfeel and seamlessly integrated acidity, finishing impressively long and expansive. At its best: 2023 to 2034."

5 Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"The impressive 2021 vintage was hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barriques (25 per cent new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, weighty and sweet-fruited, with concentrated stonefruit flavours, biscuity, savoury notes adding complexity, and excellent vigour, harmony and length. A top release of this label, it's priced right and well worth cellaring to 2024+."

5 Stars & 19/20 (95) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, April 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Bright, lemon-gold with depth and a green hue, even colour throughout. This has a lifting, vibrant bouquet with aromas of citrus, pineapple, and blossom entwined with delicate spice and creamy lees elements. Medium-bodied, it has a core of grapefruit and zest, followed by pineapple, hazelnut, buttery shortbread and soft spice. The wine has a taut acid tension, carrying grapefruit and good energy; it circulates flavour seamlessly across a fine-textured, slightly chalky palate. Very elegantly presented and lingering. This charmingly elegant Chardonnay with well-portioned oak details shows good energy, focus and a seamless flow. Match with cod with beurre blanc and pork chop over the next 6-8 years. Mendoza clone, from Bridge Pa Triangle vineyards. Handpicked, 100% barrel-fermented to 14% alc. Aged in seasoned 100% Taransaud French oak barriques, 30% new. Full MLF."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Fragrant and complex, varietal and new. Aromas of red apple and grapefruit, quince and white peach, fine toasty – sweet wood layers, spice and lees. Silky textures touch the palate first then contrasting acidity and a core of citrus and stone fruit flavours. Weighty and complelling, complex and dry, judicious use of oak and a long finish. A lovely example, youthful an not quite ready. best drinking from early 2023 through 2029+."

Reviews for the 2020 vintage below…

5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, June 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Barrel-fermented in three-year-old French oak barriques. Concentrated chardonnay with peach, citrus, root ginger and spicy oak flavours supported by racy acidity. Delicious, mouth-watering wine with an impeccable balance of fruit-and-alcohol sweetness and acidity. A classy chardonnay from a top vintage."

Rated Excellent, 5 Stars & 93+/100 NZ Wine Rater, July 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Understated, vinous, restrained, and complex on the nose. Shows nice barrel work, with nutty, leesy, sea-salt aromas underpinned by clean citrus white, peach fruit. Dry, taut, rich, textural, and intriguing on the palate… a wine with good balance between fruit, oak, and the salty/limey/acid finish. Still youthful with slightly overt alcohol at this stage but there's oh so much going on, that's easy to forgive."

dish.co.nz, May 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"The subtle stonefruit sensations on the nose gently unfurl in the glass to reveal muscular, solid oak, caramelized spices and buckets of fresh grapefruity layers, masses of minerality and a long, stylish finish. Clean, precise and packed with personality."