2023 Hawkes Bay Chardonnay Challenge

56 of the finest 2021 vintage Chardonnay wines from Hawkes Bay were submitted for tasting and selection into the 2023 challenge.

This was no easy task and each wine was tasted a minimum of three times before making it to the first cut.

The first cut was 24 wines from which a top 12 was selected.

All wines were tasted blind and only revealed after the final selection was made.

Congratulations to all the winemakers and viticulture teams whose efforts in the vineyard and winery delivered an incredible set of wines for the 2023 selection

The key aim of the selection was to showcase a range of styles from the region. I do hope you agree that this has been achieved. The price point of each wine can be discovered through each producer’s website.

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Complex, enticing, layered and intriguing. Aromas and flavours of peaches and quince, heirloom apple and gentle natural fruit spice qualities. Excellent mouthfeel with a chalky almost mealy texture surrounded by fruit and carried by acidity. Well made, lengthy and delicious. 95 Points Collaboration Wines Aurulent

Excellent fine and complex bouquet. Aromas and flavours of mineral and spice, sweet citrus and white peach, a touch of quince and judicious use of wood. Persistent, lengthy, some tension and lots of poise. Well made. 95 Points Bilancia Kaikora Chardonnay

Peaches and nectarines, vanilla and cream, some light spice layers then a cool stone mineral quality. Balanced, even and fresh on the palate with flavours of red apple and stone fruits, some sweeter citrus emerges after a time. Overall, well made. Feels ready.95 Points Helio Wines Chardonnay

Excellent bouquet, creamy peach and red apples, noticeable but well-placed aromas of barrel and spices. Follow through on the palate is perfect and reflecting the bouquet with a full-bodied silk-cream mouthfeel, plenty of acidity and freshness, a touch of salinity and plenty of complexity. White and yellow peach, apple and ripe citrus. Complex and long. 95 Points Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay

A lovely bouquet with purity, ripeness, and fresh appeal. Nothing seems overdone and the aromas of apple and citrus with white peach and gentle wood support reveals complexity and charm. Lovely mouthfeel and appeal, purity of fruit and mineral qualities entice and charm. Great acid line and finish. 95+ Points Askerne 2021 Reserve Chardonnay

Complex and enticing with white smoke and white fleshed stone fruit, lemon, and raw cashew nut wood suggestions. Youthful and fine, some reductive flinty qualities set against apple and citrus flavours then wood and some very fine wood tannins. Youthful, a touch of salinity enhances the mineral qualities. Well-made and nicely complex. 95+ Points Church Road Church Road 1 Chardonnay

Fab bouquet. Purity and freshness, balance and charm, some intrigue and surprise. As the wine opens in glass the complexity builds, remains even textured across the palate and delivers a plush and delicious drink. Well made, pure and complex. Flavours of white fleshed fruit, apple and citrus highlights, The oak is perfectly placed. Lengthy and delicious. 95+ Points Tony Bish Wines Heartwood Chardonnay

Aromas and flavours of sweet grapefruit and peach, some finer vanilla and baking spice qualities and stony mineral highlights. Very generous on the palate with flavours from orange peel to peach, apple to Meyer lemon. There's floral blossom quality that sits nicely to one side adding complexity and breadth. Well made with a lengthy finish. 94+/95 Points Swift 2021 Swift Chardonnay

There's no mistaking the smoke and fruits, spice, and complexity in the bouquet of this wine. Complex, new, not without its measure of oak, but works to offer intrigue and enticement. A lovely textured palate with flavours of fruits and wood, acidity and style showcasing a youthful side, but also potential. I keep coming back to this wine, lovely finish and a specific style. 95 Points Elephant Hill 2021 Earth Chardonnay

Excellent bouquet filled with aromas of fresh stone fruits and oak, baking spices and citrus. As the wine opens in glass it just gets better and better, lovely weight and texture, core fruits and mineral complexities. Well made with a lengthy finish. 95+ Points Smith & Sheth CRU Howell Vineyard Chardonnay

Lovely bouquet, bold and expressive varietal, fruity and plush. A lovely texture and balance in the palate with flavours of stone fruits and baking spice, mineral and lees textures, excellent use of barrel and balance. A lovely example overall. 95 Points Trinity Hill single Vineyard 125 Gimblett Chardonnay

A fine wine with a lovely bouquet and charm, creamed satin peaches and citrus, vanilla and some gently smoky oak qualities, overall, a balanced and well-made wine with flavours of white peach and citrus, soft vanilla and wood spices and a decent length and finish. 94 Points Esk Valley Wines 2021 Esk Valley Seabed Chardonnay