
Waiheke Island
2023
Valhalla Chardonnay
While shaped by a more compressed and challenging harvest, the 2023 Valhalla is no less compelling. On the nose, it opens with ripe citrus peel, roasted hazelnut, and toasted sourdough, interwoven with hints of grilled peach, sea spray, and subtle struck flint.
The palate is round and savoury, with ripe stone fruit, baked apple, and lemon curd unfolding over a creamy, well-structured base. The use of malolactic fermentation has softened the acidity, bringing a warmth and harmony to a wine that could otherwise have leaned austere. The oak integration is balanced, adding spice and dimension without overpowering the wine.
The 2023 Valhalla is a wine shaped by the season and guided by experience, the result, a Chardonnay of presence, persistence, and poise.