The 2022 Elephant Hill SEA Chardonnay is a distinguished wine crafted from grapes grown in the unique terroir of the SEA vineyard, located on the Pacific coast at Te Awanga in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The vineyard's proximity to the ocean imbues the wine with a refreshing liveliness, characterized by a salivating saline acidity and lifted fragrant aromatics.

Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Winemaking: Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel to enhance complexity and preserve the wine's vibrant character.
Aging: The wine is aged on its lees in French oak for 12 months, contributing to its rich texture and depth.

Wine Critic Reviews

Raymond Chan Wine Reviews (18.5): Bright, even, pale yellow. The bouquet is attractive with some power, penetrating with aromas of stonefruit, citrus, spice and creamy richness. Medium-full bodied, aromas of peach and nectarine melded with grapefruit, lemon curd, delicate spice and a hint of almond. Enlivening acidity carries the lush fruit and spice on a creamy mouthfeel; spice and almond hints elevate and linger to a toasty finish. This Chardonnay is generous with balanced fruit and acidity and a toasty linger. Match with roasted pork and chicken over the next 3-4 years.

Cameron Douglas MS (94): Another excellent expression of Chardonnay from the EH stable, aromas and flavours of quince and peach, a spiced barrel and burnt butter & raw cashew-nut quality and mineralised clay and stone soils imagery. A firm texture as the wine touches the palate with a mix of fine tannins and core fruit flavours of grapefruit and peach then reflections of what the bouquet suggested. Plenty of acidity and a fine saline quality. The less is more selection of older barrels, and like a few new as well, are well placed to allow the core attributes of this wine to revolve around variety and site first. A delicious wine well suited to food or just enjoy on its own - as I did. Best drinking from early 2024 through 2029.