2020 Bilancia Tiratore Chardonnay

Brand	Bilancia
Region	Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.5%
Vintage	2020
Country	New Zealand

Bilancia Tiratore (to-ra-to-re) hunter/marksman is a new release from this famous producer and made in very limited volumes. If you have tasted their La Collina Syrah, then say no more, you will not want to miss out on this new Chardonnay. A single vineyard Chardonnay from vines originally planted in 2001 on the lower slopes, terraces, and flat, old riverbed of the La Collina vineyard. 100% hand-picked, whole bunch pressed to French oak puncheons and barriques for fermentation using indigenous yeast. The wine spent 11 months in oak prior to bottling unfined and without stabilisation and the only additive was low levels of sulphur.

rich, warm aromas of freshly buttered sourdough, sun ripened stone fruits, and wild fennel with cinnamon, vanilla, and toasty oak nuances. Simply superb, I could smell this all day.

A rich, unctuous palate that satisfies on every level. The creamy texture cuddles your taste buds, balanced by a salty, crunchy acid thread. Ripe stone fruit flavours burst onto the palate giving way to freshly churned butter, and vanilla pod with toasty, oaky flavours leading to a lingering roasted hazelnut finish. This is a statement, as it their Syrah and worth every penny. No rush to drink as will cellar for 5-8 years and made for creamy pasta or roasted white meats.