"Babich's flagship Chardonnay is grown in the Irongate Vineyard. A stylish wine, Irongate was traditionally markedly leaner and tighter than other top Hawke's Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. The bright, light yellow/green, youthful 2024 vintage (*****) was partly hand-harvested (50 per cent), and the wine was fermented and matured in French oak casks (23 per cent new). Already quite expressive, but well worth cellaring, it is mouth-filling, fleshy and sweet fruited, with generous, ripe stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, balanced acidity, and a rich, savoury, harmonious finish" Michael Cooper

Peach, cashew, lemon curd and vanilla with some light spice and mealy notes. Smooth and full bodied with flavours of fresh apple, peach and nectarine. Also evident are cashew, brioche and nutmeg, a rich, powerful and generous wine.

Irongate Chardonnay is grown in our flagship Irongate Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels appellation of Hawke’s Bay. From origins in 1985 as a secret experiment in barrel fermentation, this wine now represents the very best of our craft. The vines are pre-selected early in the season at pruning, and crop levels are closely monitored. The result is a limited release wine that is built to last, with spectacular varietal and regional flavours.

Food Pairing: Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.