Description
Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke’s Bay vineyards.
The Estate’s ownership varied frequently until John and Wendy Buck acquired it in 1978.
John and Wendy instigated a twenty-year development program, which commenced with the restoration of the original winery building and the replanting of all of the original vineyards, as well as the acquisition of new vineyard sites.
Elston is named for Elston Hall in Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of Charles Darwin’s family.
Darwin’s ‘theory of natural selection’ forms the basis of modern evolutionary theory, the foundation of biology.
The wyvern symbol of Elston Hall appears on the label.
The superb quality of the 2022 vintage was immediately apparent in the fully ripe grapes that were hand-harvested from their separate, individual plots within Te Mata Estate’s vineyards.
Each parcel was gently whole-cluster pressed, cold settled and racked to new and seasoned French oak barrels for fermentation.
The resulting wines remained in contact with their yeast lees, with a number going through malolactic fermentation.
The finest lots were selected for further maturation, spending a total of 11 months in barrel.
Glowing a brilliant lemon-gold in the glass, Elston Chardonnay ’22 overflows with ripe citrus, fresh brioche, and grilled hazelnuts.
On the palate an impressive intensity of ripe nectarine and grilled lemon builds upon soft creamy nougat notes, adding a vibrant acidity, balance and focus.
With exceptional length, freshness, purity, and a complex interplay of fruit and savoury notes, Elston Chardonnay ’22 is expressive and moreish – a remarkable embodiment of its terroir that exemplifies the quintessential qualities of this classic Hawke’s Bay chardonnay.
Light, bright yellow hue with a complex bouquet of sneaky hints of buttered toast, roasted hazelnuts and underlying citrus fruits, lemon and grapefruit.
Creamy lees and shortbread-like malo characters.
There is excellent intensity of flavour powered along by great acidity that really drives the wine and prevents it being heavy.
Concentration and drive in spadefuls.
A generous, mouth-filling chardonnay with great amplitude and incredible length.
Very satisfying to sip.
No hurry to drink it—and time will bring increased complexity.
– Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – New Zealand Region – Hawke’s Bay Vintage – 2022 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13.5%
