2020 Tony Bish Zen Chardonnay

Brand	Tony Bish Wines
Region	Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.0%
Vintage	2020
Country	New Zealand
Vegan

When you only make Chardonnay, you know that each and every one will be brilliant and that’s an understatement. Tony Bish not only focuses on making some of the best Chardonnay in NZ but ferments them in concrete eggs and now he makes his own eggs. Rather than fermenting in oak, he mostly uses concrete eggs, meaning the true terroir of the grapes shines through. Zen however is 100% ovum fermented and aged but in a French oak egg, not confusing the issue at all, rather profiting from the best of both countries.

A bouquet that increases in intensity in the glass, initially grapefruit and burnt match, but opens to cream of soda, buttered popcorn, ripe stone fruit with hints of fennel and now with the subtlest hint of struck match.

The palate initially showed restraint but with air it opens up showing its true colours; golden queen peach, grapefruit and lemon zest flavours flow over the tongue, followed by the rich, creamy texture that simply makes you melt. The richness is perfectly complimented by the fresh, fine acid backbone giving balance and harmony. No rush to drink, rather reap the benefits of ageing for 10 years in a temperature controlled cellar.