Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2025

Te Mata Estate Chardonnay is a bright, generous and beautifully composed Hawke's Bay Chardonnay, with ripe citrus, white nectarine and golden peach joined by pineapple, toasted hazelnut, cashew and a fine flinty edge. The 2025 combines concentrated fruit with creamy texture and a lively saline freshness, giving it plenty of flavour without losing definition. Fruit comes from Te Mata Estate's own vineyards across three Hawke's Bay sub-regions, bringing a broad estate expression to the glass. A polished choice for Chardonnay drinkers who like richness balanced by freshness, and an easy match for roast chicken, pan-fried fish or creamy pasta.

What the winery says:

The 2025 fruit was harvested from 24 February to 11 March from Te Mata Estate's vineyards in the Woodthorpe Terraces, Bridge Pa Triangle and Havelock Hills. Winemaking combined tank fermentation, used to retain fresh varietal character, with barrel fermentation, maturation on gross lees and malolactic fermentation for added richness and integration. The wine is dry at 13.5% alcohol, with flavours of mandarin, lemon, golden peach, pineapple and white nectarine alongside cashew, toasted hazelnut, vanilla and struck flint. Te Mata suggests it will continue to develop in bottle for two to four years from harvest.

What the experts say:

James Suckling, 94/100 (2024 Vintage)
"Very attractive, showing green apples, pears and hints of cream. Medium bodied with a lovely core of fruit and a creamy texture. Just a hint of matchstick. Complex yet subtle."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 93/100 (2024 Vintage)
"It's elegantly expressed on the nose, showing white flesh peach, fig, oatmeal, subtle vanilla, and roasted cashew aromas. The palate delivers succulent fruit flavours with creamy flow, backed by finely pitched acidity, finishing lingering and stylish. At its best: now to 2029."

Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points (2024 Vintage)
“It bursts with tropical and citrus fruit backed by toastier notes.”

Decanter World Wine Awards, Silver Medal and 90 Points (2024 Vintage)
“Lovely purity, fine lees complexity and integrated oak spice.”