2018 Tony Bish Zen Chardonnay
Bob Campbell MW
Grape
Chardonnay
Its Origins
Tony Bish is a legend of New Zealand winemaking who spent decades making such iconic wines as Sacred Hill's Rifleman's Chardonnay. Now he is channeling his Chardonnay expertise into his own labels, which he produces in a stylish urban winery he has set up in Napier. Much of his wine is aimed at delivering classy examples of the the rich and creamy, 'old school' style of Chardonnay. But Tony's incredible touch and experience ensures that each wine is balanced and refined — even with all their big, bold appeal. Meanwhile, Tony's ongoing experimentation in style and technique is producing results such as his deliciously un-oaked "Golden Egg" Chardonnay, and his super premium "Zen" Chardonnay, which is made in an incredible egg-shaped oak vessel.
What The Critics Say
96/100 Bob Campbell MW
"Grapes from Skeetfield vineyard were fermented in a large egg-shaped vessel made of Taransaud French oak and christened Ovum. The result is an impressively seamless and quite concentrated chardonnay with apple, white peach, ginger, and subtle oak flavours. 14 JUN 2020." Drink 2020 - 2025
97/100 Wine Orbit, Sam Kim
"Ethereal and engaging, this stunning chardonnay shows white flesh nectarine, rockmelon, lemon pith and nougat characters on the nose with nuances of cedar and spice. It's magnificently concentrated on the palate, exhibiting exceptional depth and focus combined with creamy mouthfeel and perfectly pitched acidity."
5 Stars Michael Cooper
"This powerful, distinctive wine is made in an "ovum" – an egg-shaped, French oak barrel which creates unique convection currents, keeping the wine's yeast lees in suspension. Harvested from mature vines in the Skeetfield Vineyard, at Fernhill, it is fermented with indigenous yeasts, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The second 2018 vintage (5*) is a bright, light yellow/green, sturdy, rich wine, with notably concentrated stonefruit flavours, finely poised acidity, and highly impressive complexity and harmony. Well worth cellaring, it's already delicious."
| Variety | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Region | Hawkes Bay |
| Closure | Cap |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Maturity | 2020 - 2033 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
