Ata Rangi Masters Chardonnay 2024

A simply brilliant wine. Tasted over 4 days, a complex and enticing wine with layers of ripe fruits, a judicious and balanced measure of oak, layers of spice and complexity that are giving yet not dominant nor intense. Rather, an intriguing wine with a mineral and saline quality, flavours of grapefruit and apple, white fleshed stone fruits and complexities from lees and wood spice, earth- smoke of stone and clay. Excellent drinking from day of purchase through 2032+. 97 points Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

Ranked #1 of 18 2024 Chardonnay from Wairarapa
Restrained but complex wine with unfolding layers of orchid, white pepper, smoke, lemon zest, savoury herbs and clove on the nose. The palate, though backward and very young, bursts with taut flavours of grilled citrus, white peach and celery salt, carried by a sherbet-like acidity and sleek phenolics with just enough wood on the back to notice. Very driven and concentrated, this is linear and compact presently, the measured fruit flavours hiding a core of flinty minerality and firm structure which will allow this powerful, elegant chardonnay to develop more savoury complexity and weight over the long term. Drink 2027-2038. 96 points Stephen Wong, The Real Review