Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023 is a barrel-fermented white from Stonyridge Vineyard's own Vina del Mar block on Waiheke Island, overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. It shows ripe summer stone fruit, peach, nectarine and toasty oak. This is a lovely wine for anyone who likes generous, toasty whites.
In the glass expect aromas of brioche, with restrained butterscotch, sandalwood and clove adding complexity. This is a wine for those of us who enjoy a white with some weight on the palate, and a great match for crayfish with garlic butter.
What it tastes like
The wine has lush, generous fruit on the palate, framed by soft acidity. Grape to Glass found subtle citrus, ripe apple, popcorn and a hint of chalk on the nose, then lemon, buttered popcorn and a mineral thread on the palate, supported by vanilla oak and finishing with a lift of grapefruit. It's a gorgeous, full-flavoured style.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium to full
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Soft
- Oak: Barrel fermented with 50% new French oak, adding toast and vanilla
- Style: Rich, toasty Waiheke Chardonnay
Food to enjoy this with
- Crayfish or lobster with garlic butter
- Roast chicken with lemon and thyme
- Pan-fried snapper with a beurre blanc
- Pork belly with apple
- Creamy mushroom and leek pasta
- Sweetcorn fritters with crème fraîche: Grape to Glass picked up buttered popcorn in the wine, which echoes the sweetness of the corn
Who makes it
Stonyridge Vineyard was founded by Stephen White, who returned to New Zealand in 1981 after sailing a Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race and working at wineries in France, California and Italy. After extensive climatic research, he chose a north-facing site on Waiheke Island and planted his first vines and olive trees in 1982.
The Reserve Chardonnay comes from the Estate's Vina del Mar block, which looks out over the Hauraki Gulf. Stephen White and Martin Pickering are the winemakers.
For the 2023 vintage, the wine was fully barrel fermented, in 50% new French oak and 50% mixed-age barrels, then aged for nearly 12 months before bottling under screwcap.
When to drink it
Grape to Glass suggests cellaring for 5–6 years.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Stonyridge Vineyard |
| Wine: |
Reserve Chardonnay |
| Vintage: |
2023 |
| Variety: |
Chardonnay (100%) |
| Region: |
Waiheke Island |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
13.5% |
| Oak: |
50% new French oak, 50% mixed-age French oak, nearly 12 months |
| Fermentation: |
100% barrel fermented |
| Closure: |
Screwcap |
| Cellaring: |
5–6 years |
| Serving temperature: |
8–10°C |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
What does Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023 taste like?
Stonyridge describe ripe stone fruit, peach, nectarine and toasty oak, with brioche, butterscotch, sandalwood and clove. Soft acidity frames lush fruit on the palate.
Is Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay oaked?
Yes. The 2023 was 100% barrel fermented, using 50% new French oak and 50% mixed-age barrels, and aged for nearly 12 months.
Where are the grapes for Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay grown?
The fruit comes from Stonyridge Vineyard's Vina del Mar block on Waiheke Island, overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.
What temperature should I serve Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023?
Serve it lightly chilled at 8–10°C.
How long will Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023 keep?
Grape to Glass recommends a cellaring window of 5–6 years.
Where can I buy Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023?
The Winery ships Stonyridge Reserve Chardonnay 2023 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
