2024 Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay

Restrained and discreet aromas of lemon peel, oyster shells, talcum powder and orange blossoms. The palate is light- to medium-bodied with high-tension acidity and an underlying power. Very mineral and polished. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

93 points jamessuckling.com

Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay is a coastal, mineral-driven Chardonnay that channels the elegance of the old world through a distinctly New Zealand lens. Named after the dramatic Cape Kidnappers cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, this wine hails from vineyards just inland from those windswept shores, where cooling sea breezes and limestone-influenced soils shape a Chardonnay of restraint and refinement.

Winemaker Julian Grounds crafts this wine with a light hand, aiming for purity and tension rather than weight. Fermented in large oak barrels (but only a small portion new) and aged on lees, the result is a wine that’s subtly creamy, beautifully saline and refreshingly linear. It’s Chardonnay in a tailored suit, not a puffer jacket.

On the nose, expect lemon zest, green apple, white stone fruit, and a hint of struck match. The palate is finely textured with bright citrus, oyster shell, and gentle nutty notes, finishing with a chalky grip and a clean, saline snap.

This wine pairs beautifully with seafood: try scallops with beurre blanc, grilled snapper, or even a crab linguine. It also works with roast chicken or a herbed goat cheese salad. While drinking well now, it will cellar gracefully for 5 to 7 years, evolving more complexity over time.