Gold Medal & 95/100 – International Wine Challenge 2023
Gold Medal – Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition 2023
Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2023
Great buying here on a lovely big rich Chardonnay from the outstanding 2021 Marlborough vintage. With an impressive 95 points and Gold Medal from one of the world's premier wine shows, you can be assured of the quality. It's almost ludicrous that we can offer it to you at this barely believable price!
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Complex aromas of preserved lemon, sweet oak and roasted almond. The palate is round and full with flavours of ripe citrus, roasted hazelnut and a toasty oak note. Nine months maturation on lees in French oak barrels has assisted with creating a rich creaminess and fine tannin structure.
Fruit was predominantly sourced from the valley between twin peaks in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys sub-region. The fruit was partially handpicked and whole bunch pressed to ensure the vineyard characters and fruit flavours were preserved. The juice was barrel fermented in 100 per cent French oak (33 per cent new oak barrels) using selected yeast strains. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 9 months aging on yeast lees with regular stirring. Only the best barrels were selected for the Twin Hills Pioneer Block wine."
5 Stars Michael Cooper, July 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"The very ageworthy 2021 vintage was grown 'predominantly' in the company's Omaka Valley vineyard, in the Southern Valleys, partly hand-picked, and fermented and lees-aged for nine months in French oak casks (33 per cent new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with concentrated peach and grapefruit flavours, gently seasoned with biscuity oak, finely balanced acidity, and a long, savoury finish. Full of youthful vigour, it should be at its best 2025+."
95/100 IWC Judge's Comments (2021 Vintage)
"Tropical fruit and vanilla on he nose with an expressive savoury texture and a long finish. This is an elegant and well structured wine but with beautiful balance."
4 Stars Cuisine Chardonnay Tasting, August 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"A complex nose with plenty going on including lifted oak, bright clean fruit and lees characteristics. The palate also has plenty to enjoy with lots of expressive fruit and bright acid. The texture and weight present are impressive, as is the length."