The 2023 Block 2 Chardonnay is toasty and tropical, with a skein of fleshy acidity within the folds of the fruit. This is texturally wide, with white pineapple, peach, hay and caper brine, and framed by toasty oak. There is lime zest and toasted nuts. The wine is, at this stage, a wine of parts, and it feels to me as if it will be a more cohesive proposition in a year's time. It's very ripe but leafy too. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

While the opening is rather appealing to the 2023 Chardonnay Block 2 with welcoming puppy fat, this is all about its sense of tension, held tightly together as if it's an Anjou Chenin on schist, giving similar tension and chili spice. Pure, succulent fruit is held within a tight corset. The finish is long and savory, with almond pastry layers lingering long alongside the pear and nectarine notes. (100% Mendoza clone, 17 months in barrel, 4% new oak). Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

Region: Central Otago, New Zealand

Grape Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Critic Rating: Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90 Points, Vinous 94 Points

Suggested Drink Window: 2026 - 2033