| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Hawkes Bay |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
Lemony and crisp with a stone and seashell undertone to the pretty fruit. Medium body, firm phenolics that tighten the wine on the palate. Racy and intense on the finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The 2022 Rays Road Chardonnay is fine and spicy, with a tense line of acidity and phenolics—they feel linear and interwoven—that stream through the fruit. This is a very pretty, pithy Chardonnay with ground white pepper, white flesh peach, crushed shells, layers of juniper berry and star anise/cut fennel inflections. I like the staying power of the fruit in the mouth. It is persistent and long. This is really nicely done, and I'm looking forward to seeing this wine (and this vineyard) more over its journey. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 2023 - 2032
As time passes and the team get to grips with this site (and start to include some new plantings), Ray's Road continues to improve, though in a distinct style separate from the Auckland vineyards. Very pale in the glass, the stony, Chablis-like nose offers green and yellow fruits with an overriding sense of citrus and white flowers. The palate has real textural intrigue, a lightly creamy flesh set against pithy, flinty tension. There is a satin-like mouthfeel which makes the wine deft and very moreish. Cool and subtle, this fine Chardonnay is well balanced with a long finish.
Crisp and light, offering a vibrant mix of lime, mango and pomelo flavors that are sleek and juicy at the core, followed by lingering details of pink peppercorn and lemongrass on the finish, with notes of orange blossoms and wild fennel. Drink now. 2,000 cases made, 162 cases imported.
Very pure and lively, lifted nose. Very unmistakably NZ with just a touch more simple acidity than the other Kumeu Chardonnays. A little chew on the end. Finish is not that persistent. 12.5%. Drink 2023 – 2027
