Te Mata Estate Elston Chardonnay Hawkes Bay – 2021

Produced since 1984, Elston is grown on the estate’s oldest vines on hillsides overlooking the winery. The grapes are fully hand harvested from their separate, individual plots of vines, carefully sorted then fermented in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels. The wine then spends 10 months after fermentation resting on its lees in barrel to gain further complexity and depth.

This example from the superb 2021 vintage has enticing aromas of golden nectarines, passion fruit and grilled pineapple, with additional flavours of roasted cashew nuts and buttered toast from its time spent in oak barrels. Excellent fruit concentration and intensity with lively acidity and a long, mineral length. Complex, savoury, fresh and elegant, 2021 is a magnificent vintage for Elston!

Winemaker’s tip:- serve with a pumpkin and leek risotto.

Drink 2022-2030

“Elston” ist seit langem einer meiner liebsten neuseeländischen Chardonnays. Von alten Rebstöcken aus dem Jahr 1984 wurde er im Fass vergoren und weitere 11 Monate gereift. Er hat eine spritzige Säure und intensive Aromen von goldenem Pfirsich, Aprikose und Zitronenschale, die mit sanften Vanille- und Buttertoastnoten abschliessen.