Te Mata Elston Chardonnay

2024: Sparkling with a pale white-gold hue, Elston ’24 immediately reveals its richness on the nose. Aromas of crème brûlée, toasted sourdough, and vanilla intertwine with vibrant notes of grapefruit and ripe yellow nectarine. Subtle layers of oyster shell, hazelnut, and flintiness add further complexity and intrigue. On the palate, it delivers a commanding presence – rich and textured yet finely balanced by a spine of electric acidity building delicious tension. The vivacious fruit sweetness combines elegantly with an energetic drive, creating a wine of remarkable elegance and fantastic length. The 2024 vintage captures Elston in its ultimate form.

Wine Advocate 95: The 2024 Elston Chardonnay leads with gentle toastiness, which frames notes of yellow peach, flint and preserved lemon. The fruit was handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, with clones Mendoza, 548 and 95 contributing layers of flavor and textural complexity. Press fractions between 450 and 500 liters were isolated separately, preserving detail and site nuance throughout élevage. The palate is rich and creamy yet balanced by juicy, saline acidity that brings freshness and shape to the wine. Primary fermentation was inoculated, while approximately 75% of the wine underwent wild malolactic fermentation. Maturation extended over 11 months in barrel, with a deliberate move toward less new oak, utilizing lighter toast profiles and reduced char influence. The oak handling feels increasingly refined: subtle threads of French vanilla and spice weave through the plush fruit profile without obscuring it. This is a generous yet composed wine—it is soft and expansive through the middle palate but carried long by bright acidity and a fine mineral line. This is very good.

James Suckling 97: Focused and textured, showing sliced apples and lemons with hints of dried pears and crushed stones on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy phenolics that add to the salty, subtle fruit. Limes at the end. Structured and impressive, this is a beautiful follow-up after the terrific 2023. A powerful and rather muscular chardonnay that highlights the quality of the fruit. 100% barrel-fermented and aged 11 months. Drink or hold. Screw cap.