- Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay 2020 $32.99
Tony has long had a love affair with Oak. He only uses one supplier - Taransaud, a French Cooperage committed to excellence. Heartwood is a clever reference to this ongoing love affair and to the wood itself. The heartwood is taken from the centre of the 140 year old oak trees, as it's the sweet spot for strength, and the best structure for tannin.
This new release from the highly anticipated 2020 vintage, is made similarly to the Skeetfield but with a smaller portion of new oak - just 20%. Still hand picked, whole bunch pressed, mendoza grapes and lovingly barrel fermented. This weighty, rich and pure wine has more primary fruit characters, with fresh yellow peach and grapefruit, and a near perfect balance of mouth-filling texture and juicy acidity.
The previous vintage of this wine made Robert Parker's 2020 list of Top 100 wine discoveries ... we can't wait for him to discover this 2020 vintage! A mesmerizing balance of fresh fruit, and the subtle spice and hazelnut characters of French oak. Elsewhere $37.99, this is sublime drinking for just $32.99 while stocks last!
- Tony Bish Skeetfield Chardonnay 2019 $53.99
Made from old friend Denis Gunn's famous Ohiti Vineyard - named after his Champion career as a skeet shooter! This legendary mendoza clone, dry farmed, old vine vineyard was planted back in the 1980's, and is single handedly responsible for some of Hawke's Bay's most highly awarded chardonnay. Tony's Skeetfield, has been rated five-stars by Bob Campbell every year since its inception back in 2015. Carrying on that legend, is this stunning new 2020 release that has gained Candice Chow of Raymond Chan Reviews, first ever perfect 20/20 score ... and it's not hard to see why!
Handpicked and whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling. 100% barrel fermented and matured for twelve months with 60% new Taransaud French oak. Indigenous and malolactic fermentations were used for complexity and depth, while battonage on lees provides a stunning textural quality.
Warm buttery popcorn on the nose with hints of fennel, stonefruit and fresh grapefruit. On the palate there's oodles of ripe stonefruit, zesty grapefruit, toast and vanilla. This is incredibly balanced, impressively textured and undeniably pure and concentrated. Outstanding, life-changing Chardonnay that will cellar easily for ten to twenty years. In fact Tony is already putting a few cases away for his 50th Vintage celebrations!
This wine Retails elsewhere for $62.99, but you can get your hands on it first with our limited release offer of just $53.99 a bottle, while stocks last.