2023 Sacred Hill Wine Thief Chardonnay

Brand	Sacred Hill Wines
Region	Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.5%
Vintage	2023
Country	New Zealand

The iconic Hawke's Bay Riflemans vineyard is famous for producing its namesake Chardonnay that is one of NZ's very finest... a Chardonnay crafted to age for 10-20 years. Sacred Hill handled the challenging 2023 weather conditions with aplomb… but still chose not to make a Rifleman’s… instead redirecting all the fruit/oak/winemaking resources into this 2023 Wine Thief. Normally Wine Thief is made with second selection Rifleman’s Vineyard fruit and 50% new French Oak. The fruit/winemaking/oak all just got better again with this 2023 release. A sophisticated Chardonnay with a delicious Butteriness (rated 7/10 on our Buttery Chardonnay Scale) threading ripe stone fruits, toasty oak and biscuity, brioche lees richness, with beautiful citrus infused acidity adding freshness. Wine Thief is made by 10 x NZ Winemaker of the Year Nick Piccone. It is an outstanding 95/100 & Double Gold Medal Chardonnay with an extraordinarily modest price tag apropos its undeniable quality and style. This superbly concentrated and structured 2023 has age ability for 5-10 years, if stored in quality conditions… equally it’s delicious/moreish drinking today.

The toasty oak, grapefruit, peach, bran biscuit and brioche and buttery aromas get the olfactory senses in top gear.

A generous, creamy palate with rich stone fruit tinged with gently salivating ripe grapefruit.... signature flavours of this legendary estate. Threaded by toasty oak and biscuity, buttery lees richness, with beautiful acidity that adds freshness, so despite its concentration and richness, it never overwhelms. Utterly enjoyable now through 2028 and beyond with roasted chicken or pork.