Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024 750ml

Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024 is a vibrant and beautifully balanced expression of Hawke's Bay Chardonnay. Ripe peach and lemon rind sit alongside subtle savoury oak, creamy lees texture and bright acidity, creating a wine with generous flavour and excellent freshness.

The wine combines tank fermentation, which preserves pure fruit and aromatic lift, with barrel fermentation and maturation on gross lees for added richness and complexity. A portion also undergoes malolactic fermentation, softening the texture while retaining the lively regional acidity that defines the finished wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm peach cobbler, lemon rind, marzipan, flint and subtle tarragon, with gentle notes of toasted oak and buttered popcorn.

Palate: Medium bodied and creamy, with ripe peach, pear and citrus supported by bright acidity, fine oak and delicate savoury complexity.

Finish: Long, fresh and persistent, with lingering lemon, stone fruit, mineral notes and a subtle toasted character.

Serving Suggestions

Serve lightly chilled with grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy seafood pasta, lobster, soft cheeses or simply prepared white meat dishes. The wine also works beautifully as a richer aperitif for those who enjoy Chardonnay with both freshness and texture.

About The Winery, Vineyards And Region

Te Mata Estate was established in 1896 and remains independently family owned. Its history began when Bernard Chambers planted Chardonnay, Cabernet and Pinot Noir on the north facing hills above Havelock North in 1892. The original winery buildings are still in use today, making Te Mata one of New Zealand's most historically important wine estates.

Fruit for the 2024 Estate Chardonnay was harvested from Te Mata's own vineyards across the Woodthorpe Terraces, Bridge Pa Triangle and Havelock Hills. Each subregion contributes something different to the final wine, allowing the estate to blend richness, aromatic freshness, texture and natural acidity.

The Havelock Hills vineyards include some of New Zealand's oldest vineyard sites. These north facing slopes contain sandy loam soils over sandstone, clay and silica, producing wines with balance, power and fine structure.

Bridge Pa Triangle is one of the warmer parts of Hawke's Bay, with free draining sandy loam over gravel. These conditions encourage full flavour development while retaining delicacy and detail in white varieties such as Chardonnay.

Woodthorpe Terraces sits on elevated land above the Tutaekuri River Valley. Its sandy loam and gravel soils, sheltered position and well drained terraces provide an excellent site for Chardonnay, producing fruit with freshness, concentration and clear regional character.

Hawke's Bay benefits from a temperate maritime climate, low humidity and varied soils formed from ancient river gravels, sand and silt. These conditions have helped establish the region as one of New Zealand's leading areas for premium Chardonnay.

Cellaring Potential

Delicious now for its youthful peach, citrus and creamy texture. It may also be cellared for two to four years from harvest, allowing the oak, lees and fruit characters to become more integrated.

Details

Producer: Te Mata Estate

Vintage: 2024

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Vineyards: Woodthorpe Terraces, Bridge Pa Triangle and Havelock Hills

Alcohol: 13.5 percent

Closure: Screw cap

Sustainable: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand accredited

Bottle Size: 750ml