Name: Bilancia Chardonnay "Kaikora Vineyard" 2023 750ml
Brand: Bilancia
SKU: 1001976
Price: 35.94 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 92 (2 reviews)

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Winery

Bilancia

Shop all from Bilancia

Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

Country

New Zealand

As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.

Region

Hawkes Bay

The beautiful region of Hawkes Bay in northern New Zealand is home to many of the country's oldest wineries, and is the birthplace of New Zealand's now enormous and important wine industry. Since the 1850s, Hawkes Bay has proven to be one of the country's most successful and widely renowned wine regions, with turnover increasing each year, and with its excellent quality, characterful and flavorful wines finding new fans all the time. The region is widely regarded as being the sunniest in New Zealand, and has a fantastic climate for viticulture. Indeed, the moderate humidity, low rainfall and blazing sunshine help the grapes which grow there flourish to full ripeness, and allow the resulting wine to be packed full of flavor and the finest features of the terroir.

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

The 2023 Kaikora Vineyard Chardonnay is salty and spicy, with shaved fennel and salted peach, white flowers and ground white pepper. The wine is soft through the finish, in watercolor as opposed to oil, and this potentially fits with the wet conditions of the season. This is a remarkable effort given the conditions, and more than that, the year has gifted the wine with levity and lacy detail. This is a lovely wine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

VM 91pts

Vinous Media

The 2023 Chardonnay Kaikora Vineyard has a more fruit-forward style. It is fresh and approachable, with nectarine fruit, a creamy malo note, flint and a light toasty character on the finish. This is clean, mouthwatering and texturally refined, with the finest of powdery textures on the finish. It has an open style with moderate length.

Winery Notes

• 100% Chardonnay. • Sourced from the Kaikora Vineyard in Otane, planted on ancient Pakohe (argillite). • Hand-harvested. • Whole-bunch pressed directly into French oak barrels. • Indigenous fermentation. • Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months. • No fining or cold settling.

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Bilancia Chardonnay “Kaikora Vineyard” 2023 750ml