The Real Review, Stephen Wong MW – October 2024 Subtle notes of vanilla rice pudding and flint give way to floral and sweet herb aromas. The palate, initially tight and firm, slowly opens up to reprise the bouquet along with layers of white fruit, chalk and fine-boned pithy phenolics which all lie within a sleek, polished structure. Elegant, detailed and compact, with mid-weight flavours tucked neatly into a delicately crisp package. It will develop nicely in the mid to long term. 97/100 ***** Drink: 2025 – 2038 JamesSuckling.com, James Suckling – November 2024 Refined mineral aromas of lemon peel, apple skin, orange blossoms and flint. The palate is light- to medium-bodied, giving notes of Asian pears, mandarin pith, puff pastry and lime curd. Tightly wound, framed by high-tension acidity. Drink or hold. Screw cap, 94 points. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin – November 2024 The 2023 Bannockburn Chardonnay is lean and tremendously tightly coiled at this stage, with notes of crushed and salted nuts, white peach, lemon, green apple and lemongrass. In the mouth, the acidity is a real factor in the drinking experience: it defines the finish and contributes to the overall leanness of the wine. It’s crunchier than expected, but at 14% alcohol, it’s certainly not underripe. Interesting angles, all of them. The Felton Road vineyard is situated below the 45th parallel, making it and the vineyards of southern New Zealand some of the most southern vineyards on the planet. Sealed under screw cap. 90 Points.