Eclipse Chardonnay 2018
Planted in 1993, farmed organically and on some of the deepest free-draining gravels on the famed Martinborough Terrace. Vines trained for low vigour and yields combine to deliver a wine of power and depth of flavour.
As a result of this approach the fruit quality is evident creating a wine which is tightly wound and restrained in its youth, ensuring a Chardonnay which will develop layers of flavour, richness and complexity over time and reward patience in the cellar.
Planted in 1993, farmed organically and on some of the deepest free-draining gravels on the famed Martinborough Terrace. Vines trained for low vigour and yields combine to deliver a wine of power and depth of flavour.
As a result of this approach the fruit quality is evident creating a wine which is tightly wound and restrained in its youth, ensuring a Chardonnay which will develop layers of flavour, richness and complexity over time and reward patience in the cellar.
Planted in 1993, farmed organically and on some of the deepest free-draining gravels on the famed Martinborough Terrace. Vines trained for low vigour and yields combine to deliver a wine of power and depth of flavour.
As a result of this approach the fruit quality is evident creating a wine which is tightly wound and restrained in its youth, ensuring a Chardonnay which will develop layers of flavour, richness and complexity over time and reward patience in the cellar.
“94 points - We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks here, with flint and a whiff of gun smoke, honey biscuits, brine, ripe lemon with a twist of peel, white peach and subtle spice. It’s fresh and clean, no overt winery work to taste, a fine chalky texture, oatmeal and apple, cool lime acidity, just a little toast and clove coming through on a long textured finish. Lovely thing to drink. So nice.”
“5 stars / 93 pts - The wine offers complex layers of stone fruit, fig, mango and citrus notes with nuances of vanilla and roasted hazelnut. It’s succulent and wonderfully weighted on the palate, delivering silky texture and flowing mouthfeel, backed by crisp acidity, finishing long and expansive. At its best: now to 2024.”
“4 stars / 93 points - From organically farmed 26-year-old vines. Taut, edgy chardonnay with grapefruit, citrus, oyster shell, toast, hazelnut and spicy oak flavours. A backbone of crisp acidity suggests that the wine will cellar well.”
“4.5 stars - Hand-picked on the Martinborough Terrace, the generous 2018 vintage (4.5*) was fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak casks, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with concentrated, youthful, peachy, citrusy flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, balanced acidity and very good complexity. Best drinking 2021+.”
“5 star (Gold) / 95 pts - Nicely complex on the nose, a core of fruit contrasted by oak and suggestion mineralarity. Nothing is overdone so quite a pure and balanced attack. More complex on the palate where the oak begins to emerge stronger than the nose suggested. Equally strong is the fruit telling the same story as on the nose. Some fine tannins and plenty of acidity this is a lovely wine. Lengthy finish and a developing complexity. Drinkable now though best from late 2020 through 2025.”
