Craggy Range 2020 Chardonnay Kidnapper's Vineyard, New Zealand

The Wine

Pale lime to pale straw in color. Despite some difficult weather that tested these farmers, 2020 was one of the best vintages of this vineyard in recent memory. The wine shows  complex notes of pear, roasted almonds and undeniable citrus notes (particularly featuring lemon zest).

The palate is as compelling as it is fresh. Pithy grapefruit texture carries kafir lime leaf and freshly ground cashew notes. Fantastic persistent acidity ensures that one reaches almost immediately for the second glass. Which is ok, as the ABV is a modest 13%

The Winery

The Kiwis who named this winery weren't kidding. Few coaslines are more rugged than the ones found in Hawkes Bay, where this vineyard is located! A family-owned winery that has earned their kudos over the years and is now a destination for wine lovers touring the North Island, offering a level of hospitality that is as delicious as it is comforting. Their on-site restaurant was named Winery Restaurant of the Year and that's just part of their hospitality center you'll find on the valley floor just at the base of dramatic red rocks that is the massive, 1,300-foot rise to the top of Te Mata Peak.