AN ICON IN THE MAKING
94/100 | David Walker Bell, Wine Folio
This is exciting Hawke's Bay Chardonnay; a 'passion project' chardonnay release from Clearview winemaker Matt Kirby, his wife Sarah (ex Felton Road) and filmmaker Dave Nash.
Gorgeously presented in wax sealed bottles and using high quality cork closures, this is a refined and very clean chardonnay expression that walks on the fresh and vibrant side of the street. It kicks off with a hint of flinty, struck match on the nose and has tangy regional stonefruits on the palate. French oak is evident for a light buttered toast character, but is really only there to add texture and some subtle wood spice complexity. The beauty here is that this wine is tight but it is certainly not lean. The underlying fruit weight shines through on the palate and the finish is quite juicy and rewarding with crisp citrus notes cleaning up the conversation.
We loved the previous vintages and our allocations of both releases sold through in a nanosecond. The word is out that there is something special going on here and we expect this new 2023 release to fly as well.
This wine has been made to be cellared and there is no doubt that its inner secrets will be revealed in full-effect over the coming 3-6 years. If drinking earlier, the Helio team recommend decanting. We agree.
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The winery writes "Very delicate in colour, almost antique white gold in the glass. Light and refreshing on the nose with a bright chalkiness we always find in Helio. Lime citrus leads in some fresh light and crunchy stone fruit aromatics. Very precise on the palate with a liner acid line of limey citrus and white peach. The refreshing high acid is perfectly paired with the fine grained pithy white tanning profile that gives this wine a very long finish, grip and texture."
David Walker Bell, Wine Folio writes "From a difficult vintage, comes the latest from this boutique label – one of the first Chardonnays of the 2023 vintage I’ve tasted. A vibrant pale green colour in the glass, with a perfume of citrus, pear, almond, cucumber and sorrel; then top floral notes of ginger flower and orchid. The signature saline /chalky acidity greets you… giving immediacy of energy and form to the palate, with a precision and linearity. A reined-in power – quite detailed and structured. Savoury elements and subtle spices emerge – tarragon, oyster shell, dried lemon and oatmeal. There’s a point where lush texture and tartness collide – in a good way, with youthful tension. The finish is pithy and crisp, showing good length."
Stock Level: | Limited |
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Vintage: | 2023 |
Volume: | 750ml |
Alcohol: | 13.5 |
Seal Type: | Cork |
21/04/21
Refined
Out of the box!
20/04/21
V special
The epitome of great wine.... balance from nose to eternity!
10/05/20
Loved it too
Right up my alley. I heard this was good and i wasn't disappointed.