The 2023 Rays Road Chardonnay represents a new benchmark for this distinctive limestone hillside vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. Hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, the wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak barrels, allowing the purity of the site to shine through without oak influence.

Aromatically vibrant and lifted, the nose reveals crystalline citrus, subtle florals, and a flinty minerality that is fast becoming the hallmark of Rays Road. On the palate, it offers remarkable concentration and textural finesse, with layers of lemon zest, white stone fruit, and saline complexity. A core of bright acidity drives the wine through to a long, mineral finish.

This is the most complete expression of Rays Road to date, delicious now, yet destined to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years.