Paddy Borthwick Wairarapa Chardonnay 2023

Paddy Borthwick Wairarapa Chardonnay 2023"This is comforting and delectable, showing mango, pineapple, nougat, cashew and brioche aromas on the nose, followed by a silky smooth palate that's succulent and supple. Beautifully composed and expressed with a persistent, complex finish. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2024 "Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The nose is full, with aromas of citrus, stonefruit, creamy elements, vanilla and spice. Medium full bodied, aromas of

"This is comforting and delectable, showing mango, pineapple, nougat, cashew and brioche aromas on the nose, followed by a silky-smooth palate that's succulent and supple. Beautifully composed and expressed with a persistent, complex finish. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2024

"Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The nose is full, with aromas of citrus, stonefruit, creamy elements, vanilla and spice. Medium-full bodied, aromas of lemon melded with apricot, grapefruit, citrus peels and spices. The fruit is forward and vibrant, supported by tangy acidity, along with a fine-textured palate adorned by subtle creaminess, lending a spiced, moreish finish. This Chardonnay is appealing with bright fruit and acidity on a balanced, fine-textured mouthfeel" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Feb 2024

"An enticing classic expression of Chardonnay with scents of ripe stone fruits laced with some barrel spice and lees complexity, then flavours of fresh unroasted nut, and a whipped cream and custard idea. Plenty of weight and texture as the wine touches the palate, flavours of ripe stone fruits, apple and grapefruit mirror the bouquet, contrasting acidity and balanced even finish. A very enjoyable wine for all occasions offering best drinking from  mid to late 2024 through 2029" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Feb 2024

Aromas of ripe yellow peach, pineapple, and honey nougat. Wild fermentation in oak giving a creamy, soft pallet, lightly spiced oak and hazelnut flavours finishing with pear and citrus. This wine shows depth of fruit and great palate weight reflecting the great ripening season. Enjoy now or cellar for 6 years.

Established in 1996, proudly family owned and managed, Borthwick Vineyard produces wines that are a direct reflection of the Gladstone region, New Zealand. Ancient stony, alluvial soils, a cool climate, sustainable practices and minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery, mean our wines display distinctive single vineyard characteristics.

Planted in 2012, the vines are now well established. A mixture of clones is planted to ensure a breadth of flavour in the wine. We feel this adds depth to the resulting wine.

The growing season for the 2023 vintage. saw an early budburst with high growing degree days delivering an earlier than usual harvest. 2023 provided some challenging growing conditions but good vineyard and canopy management and many extra hours amongst the canopy during the lead up to harvest produced clean ripe fruit at harvest time. Great flavours colour and balance across the varietals.

Whole berry pressed; minimal settling then transferred to French puncheons; fermentation was completed using natural wild yeasts. The wine underwent minimal malolactic fermentation, which was carried out by our indigenous bacterial culture. The wine is aged on yeast lees for 10 months before being selectively blended, fined and filtered. Aged 10 months in French oak puncheons of which 20% were new.