Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay 2021

Reviews

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit: 96/100. Gorgeously complex and enticing, the wine shows nectarine, fig and cedar characters on the nose with nuances of oatmeal and vanilla. It’s equally gratifying on the palate delivering outstanding weight and depth combined with refined mouthfeel and seamlessly integrated acidity, finishing impressively long and expansive. At its best: 2023 to 2034.

Cameron Douglas MS: 94/100 & Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay Collection 2021. Fragrant and complex, varietal and new. Aromas of red apple and grapefruit, quince and white peach, fine toasty -sweet wood layers, spice and lees. Silky textures touch the palate first then contrasting acidity and a core of citrus and stone fruit flavours. Weighty and compelling, complex and dry, judicious use of oak and a long finish. A lovely example, youthful and not quite ready. Best drinking from early 2023 through 2029+.

Erin Larkin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 94/100. The 2021 Heartwood Chardonnay was hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in third-year seasoned French oak barriques. On the toasty nose, we have cinnamon sticks and cedar, curry leaves and brine, loads of orchard fruits and a spray of high-energy acidity. This is all raw power and open-weave approachability. The fruit on the palate is layered with lanolin, beeswax, green apple skins, sage, enoki mushroom, white miso and a sheath of dried kelp. Lots going on. It's a big wine with a big style, obvious and robust. Lots of pleasure here.

James Suckling (JamesSuckling.com): 93/100 & Top Wines of New Zealand 2023. A pretty and clean wine with sliced apple, pineapple, and lemon with some flint on the nose. The palate is firm and focused with a flavorful finish. Shows a linearity and depth. Drink or hold.

Michael Cooper: 5 stars. The impressive 2021 vintage (5*) was hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barriques (25 per cent new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, weighty and sweet-fruited, it has concentrated stonefruit flavours, biscuity, savoury notes adding complexity, and excellent vigour, harmony and length. A top release of this label, it's priced right and well worth cellaring to 2024+. 

Tasting Note:

The aroma is pure and intense with peach, sweet citrus notes, nutty complexity and lifted vanilla. Complex and enticing. These aromas flow onto the palate which is weighty, rich and pure with defined varietal expression, barrel ferment complexity, and a sustained citrus finish. The French oak and fruit are beautifully balanced.

Aromas and flavours:

Additional information

Type: White wine

Varietal: Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14% vol

Wine style: dry

Winemaking: Hand-picked Hawke's Bay Mendoza Chardonnay was whole bunch pressed, with just the free run juice sent to ferment in new and seasoned French oak barriques. No additions were made to the juice prior to ferment. The wine was aged in barrel for 11 months prior to minimal handling for bottling preparation.

Bottle size: 0.75l

Notice: Contains sulfites.

Total acidity: 5.6 g/l

Cellaring potential: 2028+

Closure: Screwcap

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