Bilancia Chardonnay 2020
A Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, sourced from two vineyards on Roy’s Hill – ‘la collina’ and ‘Trelinnoe’. A fresh, young, airy and lifted bouquet with plenty of citrus and spice alongside a pithy grapefruit and mandarin peel. Juicy and piquant through the mid palate, fanning out across some delicate layering of stonefruit flavours. Acidity is key here, with more fruit tannin and minerality than oak influence on show. Plenty of space inbetween notes on the palate – the wine is lively but measured, and has a wonderful calm balance. A dry, elongated and elegant finish. 92pts
Bilancia Syrah 2020
A neat segue into that other great Hawke’s Bay signature grape – Syrah – as it is sourced from the same vineyards as the sister Chardonnay. A coltish aroma, bursting with boysenberry, damson and redcurrant, white pepper and mocha, showing just a lift and hint of violet. Again superb balance – nothing too concentrated or jostling. Room to explore as the svelte, fine tannins, juicy acidity and earthy spice gently sidle in and sit alongside. Spice, pepper, graphite, chocolate, oak all speak quietly and clearly, telling a story of a place on a hillside. A sweetening, delicate finish. 94pts
