Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Located on the east coast of the North Island, Elephant Hill Estate stretches near Hawke's Bay, in the heart of New Zealand's Hawke's Bay wine region. The Chardonnay vines benefit from a temperate maritime climate, refreshing ocean breezes, and varied soils of gravel, silt, and clay, promoting slow and balanced ripening. The plots are primarily situated around Te Awanga and on well-drained alluvial terraces, providing ideal conditions for producing precise, elegant, and structured white wines.

The Chardonnay grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then gently pressed before light settling. The must is then transferred to oak barrels, where alcoholic fermentation takes place, partially using indigenous yeasts, followed by controlled malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness. Aging continues on fine lees in oak barrels, with periodic stirring to develop texture and complexity, before blending and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe stone fruit , fresh citrus , and delicate tropical fruit , supported by hints of white flowers , spicy nuances, and elegant vanilla and toasty oak. The palate is ample and creamy, driven by saline minerality and lively acidity that balances the richness. The texture is silky, the concentration well-controlled, and the long, precise finish leaves an impression of freshness and harmony.

Introduced in 1819, viticulture was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there in January 1838 to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region during the 19th and early 20th centuries. After production setbacks initially caused by phylloxera and then the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, doubling in size. Today, New Zealand has 10 major wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are even much closer (with the exception of the semi-continental region of Central Otago). A mountain spine running through the center of the country protects most of the major wine regions from the strong westerly winds from the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties." Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast. The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it's no coincidence that New Zealand has managed to make Sauvignon Blanc its symbol, alongside its sheep, kiwifruit, and the legendary haka!