Takapoto Estate Hawke’s Bay Reserve Chardonnay 2021

NZ$49.99

Crafted from handpicked grapes sourced from the renowned Gimblett Gravels, this Chardonnay showcases both power and elegance. It offers layers of ripe stone fruit, zesty lemon curd, and subtle hints of roasted nuts. The complex palate is complemented by a delicate balance of creamy texture, oak undertones and bright acidity, resulting in a wine of depth, structure, and refined tension. Only four barrels were produced (50% of which were new).

Technical Information:

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Vintage: 2021
Percentage Alc: 14%

Crafted from handpicked grapes sourced from the renowned Gimblett Gravels, this Chardonnay showcases both power and elegance. It offers layers of ripe stone fruit, zesty lemon curd, and subtle hints of roasted nuts. The complex palate is complemented by a delicate balance of creamy texture, oak undertones and bright acidity, resulting in a wine of depth, structure, and refined tension. Only four barrels were produced (50% of which were new).

Technical Information:

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Vintage: 2021
Percentage Alc: 14%

REVIEWS

Cam Douglas
Fabulous bouquet and palate with weight and intensity, ripe yellow stone fruit and grapefruit flavours, there’s a decent measure of oak present though not overbearing. On the palate a satin creamy quality gives way quickly to the tension of tannins and acidity then some impact from lees and wood show a wine almost settled in. Well-made and lengthy with complexity and charm. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2030+.

94 Points
Excellent

-

Candice Wine Chat
The Gimblett Gravels fruit reflects stony minerals on a creamy mouthfeel, detailed layers of lemon and zest adorned by integrated toasty elements and spice, drives with precision to a long, elegant finish.

95pts

-

Joelle Thomson, Wine Writer & Author
Hand picked Chardonnay grapes from Hawke’s Bay’s stony Gimblett Gravels area bring richness and a full body to this creamy smooth wine. Wild fermentation in barrels adds subtle cedar aromas, bringing body and spice to this mouth filling wine. Four barrels were made with 50% new oak in the mix, which gives the wine lots of personality. The 2021 vintage was superb in Hawke’s Bay with relatively low volumes of wine made and high quality defining the vintage.

18.5/20

-

Wine Orbit
Gorgeously composed and expressed, the bouquet shows apricot, fig, lemon peel, and vanillin oak aromas with a hint of savoury pastry. It's concentrated on the palate, delivering a multi- layered mouthfeel with finely infused acidity, making it superbly structured with a lengthy, complex finish. At its best: now to 2031.

95pts ★★★★★

Stephen Wong – The Real Review
Ripe apple, oatmeal and stone-fruit aromas sit on a cloud of sweetly spicy oak. This is a ripe and decadent style with oodles of vanilla and peach on the round, creamy palate before clovey oak kicks on on the finish to provide some grip and graininess. Just a touch drying on the finish which obscures some of the back-palate complexity. A crowd-pleasing, weighty and oaky style which will delight those wanting a more traditional chardonnay 29 MAY 2025 (Drink 2025–2032).

92/100