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.
96 points, James Suckling (Jun 2024)
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.
95 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (Dec 2024)
A medium-gold hue, this top-notch Chardy from New Zealand's North Island opens with rich, heady apricot and nougat aromas. There's a briny element—florals too—and a lactic, toasty underbelly. A juicy fruited tang on the elegant palate keeps the mouth watering. It's countered by a lovely slippery texture. A complete and totally delicious wine now, it could also evolve nicely over the next decade.
95 points, Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2025)
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 May 2024.
94 points, Jane Skilton, Inside Burgundy (Sep 2024)