bellhill
Chardonnay
Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand
Not as struck match as it was in its youth. Quite mineral on the nose, white florals with evidence of whole bunch in the ferment. A buttered toast component. A delicate yet intense palate if that makes sense. A saline note on the finish. More like a top quality Chablis than a White Burgundy. A top flight New Zealand Chardonnay from the Canterbury district in the South Island. Hard to find and overpriced at $195 AUD. I think the Australian importer is adding a hefty margin. I note it sells for $120NZD in New Zealand.
Not as struck match as it was in its youth. Quite mineral on the nose, white florals with evidence of whole bunch in the ferment. A buttered toast component. A delicate yet intense palate if that makes sense. A saline note on the finish. More like a top quality Chablis than a White Burgundy. A top flight New Zealand Chardonnay from the Canterbury district in the South Island. Hard to find and overpriced at $195 AUD. I think the Australian importer is adding a hefty margin. I note it sells for $120NZD in New Zealand.
Feb 19th, 2023
Master Sommelier, Founder/Partner Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant & Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant
Some wines announce themselves with shouts and bombast. Others, like this exceptional Chardonnay speak softly, if you are not paying attention you could miss it. Opened up beautifully as it warmed on the glass. Focused, firm acidity and minerality, great length. Happy to have had a chance to taste it.
Some wines announce themselves with shouts and bombast. Others, like this exceptional Chardonnay speak softly, if you are not paying attention you could miss it. Opened up beautifully as it warmed on the glass. Focused, firm acidity and minerality, great length. Happy to have had a chance to taste it.
Sep 10th, 2015
Opened up over 2 hours to express amazing mineral texture. Beautiful weight and focused finish. Bright, youthful. Difficult not to draw comparisons to Corton-Charlemagne.
Opened up over 2 hours to express amazing mineral texture. Beautiful weight and focused finish. Bright, youthful. Difficult not to draw comparisons to Corton-Charlemagne.
Dec 26th, 2013Terrific Chardonnay! Superbly made great reductive flintiness with notes of lemon, grapefruit and peach. Took about an hour to open up. Likely to be better 4-5 years from now! Immediately ordered a half case given white burg prices!
Terrific Chardonnay! Superbly made great reductive flintiness with notes of lemon, grapefruit and peach. Took about an hour to open up. Likely to be better 4-5 years from now! Immediately ordered a half case given white burg prices!
Feb 28th, 2021
Beautiful New Zealand Chardonnay done in a Burgundian style. Very little to not like about this wine. The best Chardonnay I have had from the southern hemisphere.
Beautiful New Zealand Chardonnay done in a Burgundian style. Very little to not like about this wine. The best Chardonnay I have had from the southern hemisphere.
Aug 3rd, 2017Drank on 09/04/17 in New Zealand. String earth aroma. Nice finishes
Drank on 09/04/17 in New Zealand. String earth aroma. Nice finishes
Apr 9th, 2017Fantastic nose. Lots of fruit. Beautifully mouth fill.
Fantastic nose. Lots of fruit. Beautifully mouth fill.
Nov 5th, 2016Rasberry/Cherry, beautiful red fruit, hint of forest floor, balanced, delicate and long !
Rasberry/Cherry, beautiful red fruit, hint of forest floor, balanced, delicate and long !
Apr 11th, 2015
My first thoughts were new world but as the wine sat in my glass I began to think old world but a producer with new world tendencies. Aromas and flavors of orchid and tropical fruit with French oak playing hide and seek. This wine is walking a tight rope of either blossoming into something really good or falling apart. Have a few bottles so I will be able to evaluate the evolution.
My first thoughts were new world but as the wine sat in my glass I began to think old world but a producer with new world tendencies. Aromas and flavors of orchid and tropical fruit with French oak playing hide and seek. This wine is walking a tight rope of either blossoming into something really good or falling apart. Have a few bottles so I will be able to evaluate the evolution.
Apr 4th, 2015
Startling sweet corn aromas - perhaps a touch green
Startling sweet corn aromas - perhaps a touch green
Jan 8th, 2015