Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Chardonnay 2021

Reviews

Cameron Douglas MS: 93/100. Bold, intense and fruity bouquet centering on aromas of grapefruit and yellow peach, a creamy brazil nut butter scent and barrel spice complexity. Some lees layer in shape and breadth. Full-bodied with a creamy texture and contrasting acid line. Favours of nut and yellow fleshed fruit along with grapefruit and fruit spices, some baked custard and nuttty oak qualities deliver a wine of power and presence. Delicious, fresh, youthful and ready to drink from 2022 through 2026.

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit: 93/100. Beautifully fruited and immediately appealing with golden peach, mango, spicy oak and nougat notes, it's succulent and supple on the palate delivering excellent fruit intensity together with creamy mouthfeel. It's youthfully charming and flavoursome with a lengthy delectable finish. At its best: now to 2024.

Michael Cooper: 4.5 stars. Tony Bish Fat and Sassy Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021 (****1/2) is a high impact, upfront style, made with use of barrel fermentation and a softening malolactic fermentation. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with generous, ripe, peachy, slightly toasty flavours, showing considerable complexity, balanced acidity, a creamy texture, and strong drink-young appeal.

Tasting Note:

Lifted notes of ripe peach and nectarine with gentle aromas of vanilla and Crème Brûlée. The palate is richly fruited with creamy texture and beautiful flow. Harmonious and complete Chardonnay.

Aromas and flavours:

Additional information

Type: White wine

Varietal: Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5% vol

Wine style: dry

Total acidity: 5.6 g/l

Vineyard: Fat & Sassy Chardonnay is produced from selected premium Hawke's Bay vineyard sites, predominantly in the Bridge Pa Triangle district. These soils are red stones with volcanic ash and wind blown loess layers. Very free draining and mineral rich, providing excellent characteristics for premium viticulture.

Winemaking: The winemaking relies on French Oak fermentation and 9 months maturation on full lees with occasional lees stirring to derive richness and palate texture. The use of a large 90hL French Oak Cuve adds depth and complexity.

Bottle size: 0.75l

Notice: Contains sulfites.

Cellaring potential: Fat & Sassy Chardonnay drinks well from release and will improve for up to three years cellaring.

Closure: Screwcap

Produced and bottled by: Bish Wines Ltd., 3 Ossian Street, Ahuiri, 4110 Hawke's Bay, New Zealand