Golden Egg Chardonnay 2022 (Tony Bish)

Enjoy it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Tony Bish Wines was founded in 2013 by a man of the same name. The winery is located on New Zealand’s northern island, in the country’s oldest wine region, Hawkes Bay. Tony Bish is the unofficial king of New Zealand Chardonnay and has spent the last 30 years seeking innovative ways to express the Burgundy grape. He is also credited with bringing the first concrete egg-shaped barrels to New Zealand, which bore this beautiful Golden Egg Chardonnay. The innovative method of fermenting grapes in an egg-shaped container allows for more interaction between yeast and wine. The idea was formed in France in 2001, but Tony adopted it after visiting wineries in South America. The result is a silky, pure wine, replete with concentrated scents of stonefruit, citrus, cashew nut, and a hint of oatmeal cookies. It is a medium-bodied Chardonnay, filling and luscious in the mouth, with a touch of chalkiness. The palate is focused, with strong notes of lemon, pineapple, chamomile and brioche, supported by an edge of minerality. The Golden Egg Chardonnay is a natural pairing for white fish, creamy chicken or pumpkin/squash-based pasta dish.