Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay 2025

Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay is a generous, creamy Wairarapa Chardonnay loaded with ripe yellow peach, pineapple and pear, with honey nougat, hazelnut and lightly spiced oak adding richness without taking over. Wild fermentation and lees ageing build softness and weight, while a citrus finish keeps things fresh and dry. The Chardonnay vines were planted at Borthwick's Gladstone estate in 2012, where a mix of clones provides extra flavour and depth. A very appealing choice for lovers of textured, fruit driven Chardonnay, and a fine match for roast chicken, creamy seafood or grilled fish.

What the winery says:

The 2025 fruit came from established Chardonnay vines planted in Gladstone, Wairarapa, with several clones used to build breadth of flavour. Following a long, dry summer, the fruit was whole berry pressed with minimal settling before transfer to French oak puncheons for fermentation with natural wild yeasts. The wine underwent minimal malolactic fermentation using indigenous bacterial culture, then spent 10 months on yeast lees. It was matured in French oak puncheons, 20% of them new. The finished wine is dry at 14% alcohol, with ripe stone fruit, pineapple, honey nougat, hazelnut, pear and citrus characters.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 91 points, Premium (2025)
“Dry with a satin mouthfeel and fresh unroasted nut quality. A lovely wine that needs a little more settling time in your cellar”