Radburnd Cellars Chardonnay 2018

Radburnd Cellars Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, 2018

Grape: 100% Chardonnay from two vineyards planted with old-vine Mendoza clone, matured in barrel for 9 months

Producer Tasting Note:

An elegant Chardonnay which focuses on the beautiful structure so evident in this grape variety. Pristine fruit and balanced acidity are the backbone, enhanced with seamless texture and mouthfeel. Citrus notes, particularly grapefruit pith abound, gracefully supported by sweet French oak. Delicious wine with lovely tropical fruit flavours, from the family owned vineyard in Hawkes Bay on the North Island.

Winemaking: This Chardonnay was hand harvested and cooled overnight. The cooled bunches were hand sorted then whole bunched pressed. The majority of juice was cold settled then racked to barrel. Fermentation was in new and seasoned French oak, with selected cultured yeast and indigenous yeast, for added complexity .A combination of 500L puncheons and 225L barriques were employed. Lees stirring post fermentation was regular and malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel. The Chardonnay matured in barrel for 9 months before blending and bottling. 

Estate: Radburnd Cellars was established in 2017, with the single purpose of Kate making her very best wine from each vintage without compromise - using the best fruit, the best equipment and the best resources. We make a single tier of wines in very limited volumes – representing the best, not the most We’ve carefully selected vineyards around Hawke’s Bay that are perfect for the wines we make, in the style we love. All vineyards we source fruit from are either Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand accredited or organic.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Yet another example of the appetising-but-far-from-austere nature of fine NZ Chardonnay. People forget that Hawke's Bay Chardonnay was so celebrated. Excellent combo of rich fruit and fresh, natural acidity. Long and satisfying. Yummy stuff. But not cheap."

17/20 points, Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, September 2020

"Brilliant yellow with a golden and slight green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is elegantly full, growing with intensity, nuances of peaches, lemon flesh, honeydew melon interweave well-proportioned gunflint and toasted almonds. Medium-full bodied, the aroma of peaches, pink grapefruit, preserved citrus peels have positive ripeness, unfolding nougat, roasted almonds and amalgam spices linger to a long, sustained, elegant finish. The palate has a fluidity that's alluring; feathery light creaminess flows with seamless, well-integrated acidity, with focus and tension yet poise and graceful. A hint of phenolic carries positive citrus peels bitterness along with almond skins, added interest and complexity. This is a well-crafted, elegant Chardonnay with an alluring and seamless flow, ready to be consumed or ageing. Match with crayfish and sea urchin over the next 6+ years. Old vines Mendoza Chardonnay from two sites, Mangatahi and Bridge Pa, whole bunch pressed then racked to French oak barrels. Fermented in a combination of 500L puncheons and 225L barriques to 13% alc, regular lees stir post-fermentation and full MLF. Matured in barrels for 9 months"

19/20 points, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews (NZ), January 2021

Food Match: Seafood (ginger & scallion crayfish), Rich fish (smoked salmon, buttery lobster, or grilled tuna), Poultry with creamy sauces (chicken makhani, or turkey with sage stuffing), soft & creamy cheeses (Brie or Camembert)