2023 Black Estate Home Chardonnay, North Canterbury

Varietal, ripe, pure and youthful bouquet, aromas of peaches and creme fresh, apples and grapefruit, a core mineral presence with sea-shell and stone suggestions, then white flowers. Medium+ weighted and youthful with a bright acidity and fresh fruit drive. Flavours of mineral and stone fruits, apples and citrus all fold back into the flavour profile. . Fine tannins and a natural les texture adds to the complexity and finish. A delicious example with best drinking from late 2025 through 2032+.

94 points Cameron Douglas MS camdouglasms.com

Black Estate Home Chardonnay from North Canterbury is a stunning expression of site-driven winemaking from one of New Zealand’s most thoughtful biodynamic producers. The Home vineyard, located on north-facing limestone and clay soils in the Waipara Valley, offers a cool climate with long sunshine hours and gentle coastal breezes. These conditions, combined with careful biodynamic farming, produce Chardonnay with both tension and generosity.

Winemakers Nicholas Brown and Penelope Naish take a hands-off approach. Fruit is handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, with wild fermentation taking place in seasoned oak barrels. The wine rests on full lees for close to a year, with occasional stirring, adding subtle complexity and texture without overwhelming freshness or minerality.

In the glass, it’s beautifully aromatic with white peach, lemon curd, flint and almond meal. The palate is layered yet refined, combining stone fruit and citrus with creamy undertones and a long, chalky finish. There's a saline thread running through the wine that speaks directly to its limestone-rich soils.

Perfect with roast chicken, grilled hapuku, lemon risotto or miso-glazed vegetables. Drink now for its purity or cellar for five to seven years to develop more savoury depth.