Tony Bish Skeetfield Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2024
Case Buys Only | 6 x 750ml
Tony Bish Skeetfield Hawkes Bay Chardonnay is a concentrated, richly textured Chardonnay built around old-vine, dry-farmed Mendoza clone fruit. Roasted peach, nectarine and mandarin peel meet almond, nougat, toasted hazelnut and savoury spice, while a creamy, supple palate is lifted by mouth-watering citrus freshness. There is plenty of power here, but it remains focused and beautifully balanced, finishing long with toasted stone fruit and fine mineral detail. An excellent choice for lovers of bold, cellar-worthy Chardonnay, whether opened alongside butter-roasted chicken or tucked away to develop greater savoury complexity.
What the winery says:
The fruit comes from the single Skeetfield Vineyard, where dry-farmed Mendoza clone Chardonnay vines are now more than 35 years old. The grapes were hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed with minimal settling, then entirely fermented and matured in barrel using 60% new Taransaud French oak. Indigenous fermentation and malolactic fermentation added complexity and depth, while battonage on lees developed the wine's rich, polished texture. Minimal handling before bottling helped preserve its purity and intensity. The winery describes a concentrated palate of toasted hazelnut, nougat, cashew, savoury spice and mandarin peel, supported by citrus freshness, and recommends cellaring for 8 to 12 years.
What the experts say:
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 97/100 and 5 Stars (2024)
“This wine is immensely complex and inviting, featuring aromas of ripe stone fruit, lemon zest, brioche, almond meal, and elegant oak. On the palate, it is concentrated and expansive, offering an outstanding balance of power, refinement, and grace. Bright acidity and a creamy texture beautifully frame the experience, culminating in a long, gratifying finish. At its best: now to 2036.”
Cameron Douglas MS, 95/100 and Outstanding (2024)
“Tasted over 4 days was a very smart move, this wine clearly needs time in your cellar, if you decide to open before the end of 2026 then decant it please. Ideal drinking window will be mid to late 2027 through 2030+. Aromas and flavours of white fleshed stone fruit and grapefruit peel laced with a fine positive reduction quality adding complexity and bite showing as a flinty almost gun-flint quality. Dry balanced and textured on the palate with acidity and mineral tones. A delicious wine with energy and complexity, it just that needs time and attention.”
David Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 95/100 (2024)
“Dry farmed Mendoza clone here; expressive and detailed with pristine stone and citrus fruits, wisps of struck flint and daubed with spiced oatmeal, clover blossom, almond paste, ozone, cashew oak and cream.”
