
2021 Bell Hill Chardonnay North Canterbury
98
James Suckling
Review Date: 10/2025The purity of fruit in this vibrant and vivid wine is electrifying. The aromas and bright and perfumed, with honeysuckle, sliced apples, acacia and touches of crushed stones, light vanilla, yogurt and meringue. The palate is medium-bodied and focused, with tangy acidity and a mineral finish that turns to mojito, limes and Meyer lemons. Zesty, complex and textured. It changes in the glass constantly. A benchmark chardonnay for New Zealand.
Product Availability
Pre-arrival items can be purchased in advance of their arrival at our stores. This product is estimated to be available for delivery or pickup by 08/31/2026.
Professional Reviews
97
Decanter
Review Date: 02/2024
Notes
97 points, The Real Review: "The bouquet opens with tight, flinty aromas of lime flower, spearmint, lemon, crisp apple, green olive and wet stone, with nutty complexity gradually emerging. Despite its age, the wine remains very concentrated and youthful, showing electrifying acidity wrapped in layers of white fruit and minerality. The palate reveals a dense core with a ceramic texture and concentrated flavours, though a hardness from reduction still needs time to resolve in bottle. The finish is sneakily long and evolving, with notes of cinnamon, smoke and brioche appearing in waves. Very impressive overall, but this wine needs considerable time in bottle to come around." (SW)
Product Details
Origin: New Zealand
Type/Varietal: Chardonnay
SKU: #2011112

