Hans Herzog Chardonnay 2021

Accolades:
94/100 – James Suckling
95/100 – Bob Campbell MW (2020 vintage)
95/100 – Huon Hooke (2020 vintage)

“Enticing aromas of apples, banana bread, flan and ripe pineapple. Yet it’s subtle. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit, yet it maintains a focus and tension. The salty and minerally undertones help with this. I like the phenols and texture, which give structure and form. A young chardonnay that shows aging potential but satisfies in its youth. Very drinkable now, but even better in two or three years.” – James Suckling

Tasting Note: This stately Chardonnay rival stands shoulder to shoulder with its Côte d’Or cousins. Depth and elegance meet purity and refinement in this wine. A silky texture reveals flavours of white peach, yellow apple, and a hint of almonds, all in an immensely concentrated profile. Finely balanced acidity imparts vibrant energy, ensuring the wine will last at least a decade in a proper cellar. The long, concentrated dry finish boasts a lovely minerality. Tasted: 3 July 2024.

Winemaker’s Notes: “The destemmed and partially crushed (30% whole berries) healthy grapes were left to an extended cold maceration to extract the superb flavours. Then gently pressed directly into used 500 litre French oak puncheons for a natural (wild yeast) alcoholic fermentation with no residual sugar left. The fine lees has been regularly stirred assisting to its remarkable silkiness, complexity and depth. With 18 month in the same barrels to mature and flourish, this Chardonnay will develop into something even more heavenly with bottle age. No cold stabilization. Unfined (vegan) and only lightly filtered to retain all the goodness.” – Hans Herzog

Certification: Organic

Alcohol Volume: 14.0%

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand