2021 Elston Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Elston Chardonnay is from Hawkes Bay and the four subregions within: Havelock Hills, Gimblett Gravels, Dartmoor and Bridge Pa Triangle. During our tasting, winemaker Phil Brodie said, "The energy and tension needed to come from ripe acidity. So, always 100% malo, but we moved to a Burgundy clone; Mike Bright at Keumeu has quite a bit, Clone 548, Mendoza (and a bit of 95). Handpicked, whole-bunch pressed, ambient settled overnight and straight to French oak, 30% new. The wine spent 11 months in barrel; malolactic fermentation goes through naturally, and this 2021 vintage is 85% malolactic fermentation." The acidity here is juicy and very bright; the orchard fruit in the mouth is silky and plush; and the Malo component contributes a real sweet marzipan, almond skin, crushed nut, vanilla character. Very pretty. Elegant. There is detail, spice and verve here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Chardonnay Elston is a rich, full style with pure fruit and a ripe line of citrussy acidity that carries the wine home to a firm, powerful ending. There's peach flavors and fresh apricot alongside grilled nuts and nougat derived from barrel fermentation and maturation. It's a little oaky in youth if I'm nitpicking but time will lend a hand.
Neat, focused nose and very different from the run-of-the-mill NZ Chardonnay. Still quite youthful. Very pure with no obvious oak but good structure. (JR)
Aged in French oak (30% new). Sharp acid, lean build with tart fruit and cereal texture. The oak seems a little distinct at the moment giving pencil shavings that stands apart from the fruit. Refreshing and well defined, but I prefer a bit more flesh on the bones. (RH)