| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Auckland |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
Aromas of apples, white peaches and steel with hints of lemongrass, fresh basil, flint and white flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight and dense center palate and a crunchy and flavorful finish. Energetic acidity. So fresh yet dense at the same time.
The 2023 Hunting Hill Chardonnay is the most concentrated of the collection so far with the Ray's Road wine still to be tasted. This vineyard is very close to the Maté's vineyard, up on the slope overlooking the other. The wine has nuances of sun-dried kelp, scratched lemon peel, yellow peach and churned butter/almond meal richness. This is likely more in line with the vineyard expression "as we know it," with a floral lift through the finish. This is a really good wine here. It's nutty, salty and floral. 12.8% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Unsurprisingly Hunting Hill is the Vin de Garde of 2023. Nervy with steely citrus, struck flint and lime blossom on the nose, it slowly opens up in the glass with integrated wood spice and pristine white fruit. Lip-smacking acidity drives the palate forward, cutting through flavours of predominantly citrus fruits which are bolstered by crunchy white pear and wild flowers. Focused, steely, mineral and very long, this is a resounding success that will only improve with a couple of years in bottle.
There is no new oak on any of the 2023s (with the exception of Rays Road) but a portion was aged in one and two year old barrels. Lemon drops and crisp red apple. A subtle silken creamy texture, with the signature edge of flint (but not of the volume seen in the previous vintages). Impressive and elegant. Drink from 2025 - 2030. Tasted: 5/5/2024.
