Chardonnay

Irongate Chardonnay is grown in our flagship Irongate Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels appellation of Hawke’s Bay. From origins in 1985 as a secret experiment in barrel fermentation, this wine now represents the very best of our craft. The vines are pre-selected early in the season at pruning, and crop levels are closely monitored. The result is a limited release wine that is built to last, with spectacular varietal and regional flavours.

TASTING NOTES

Peach, cashew and lemon aromas with pastry/biscuit notes. Touch of oak. Fresh and refined.

Complex and evolving - initially peach and cashew on entry followed by apple, melon and oaty notes. Mineral and citrus can also be found. Nicely concentrated and elegant.

This chardonnay was harvested from 30 & 7yr old Mendoza clone vines. A 1/3rd was hand picked and whole bunch pressed. The balance was machine harvested. The juice was fermented with predominantly wild yeast in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques. After ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent nine months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

94 POINTS - National Wine Awards of Aotearoa NZ 2022
93 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS
93 POINTS - NZWineRater.com
93 POINTS - The Real Review, Bob Campbell MW
93 POINTS - New Zealand International Wine Show 2024

"Rich, buttery chardonnay with a lot of French oak influence that gives both flavour intensity and complexity a boost. Nicely balanced wine with good acidity and structural support from fine oak and fruit tannins. - Bob Campbell MW, www.therealreview.com

"A distinctive bouquet filled with aromas of baked nut and burnt butter, baked yellow stone fruits, baking spices and winemaking complexities. Full-bodied, rich and creamy texture with some contrasting acidity lead to flavours of Brazil-nut butter and salt, peach and white fleshed tree fruits. Barrel spices and dry stone soil ideas deliver complexity and breadth across the palate." - 93 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, www.camerondouglasms.com

"The quietly classy 2022 vintage (*****) was made from 30-year-old and seven-year-old vines, grown in the Irongate Vineyard, in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay. The grapes were partly hand-picked, and the wine was fermented and matured for nine months in French oak barriques (20 per cent new). Bright lemon/green, it is a very elegant wine, mouthfilling and vibrant, with peachy, citrusy fruit flavours, biscuity and mealy notes adding complexity, fresh acidity and a finely poised, long finish. Showing excellent delicacy and texture, it should be at its best mid-2026+." - Michael Copper, michaelcooperwines.com

TASTING NOTES

Rich and complex aromas - mealy with cashew and almond also a hint of toast and cedar. Primary fruit elements of peach and grapefruit add freshness.

Palate takes its lead from the nose with complex nutty/cereal, (muesli), and stone fruits. Citrus notes give drive and length. Ethereal floral element also noticed. Elegant.

This chardonnay was harvested from old Mendoza clone Chardonnay vines and predominately, (89%), whole bunch pressed. The balance was machine harvested. The juice was fermented with predominantly wild yeast in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques. After ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

94 POINTS - National Wine Awards of Aotearoa NZ 2022
93 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS
93 POINTS - NZWineRater.com

"A broad, intense, modern, New-World style nose with generous aromas of Golden Queen peach, white nectarine, salted lemons, and lashings of vanilla, hazelnut, and toasty oak characters. Full-bodied, oily, viscous, and potent on the palate with a core of ripe peach fruit and with plenty of well-handled oak." - 93 POINTS, NZ Wine Rater

TASTING NOTES

Cashew and peach aromas with a lovely mealyness and a fennel edge. Sweet peachy entry with cashew again and layers of vanilla, cedar and apple that all push through to the finish to linger - joined there by grapefruit and spice. Intense with good volume and power. Rich and complex.

Fruit was hand picked from old Mendoza clone Chardonnay vines and whole bunch pressed. The juice was fermented with predominantly wild yeast in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques. After ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent eleven months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

95 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS

"A lovely bouquet with a complex package of aromas from cashew nut to baked peach, whispers of butterscotch and a new sweet French oak. Vanilla and raw sugar scents with a fine toasty wood quality, apple, and a touch of quince and pear then grapefruit. In other words - complex. On the palate - equally complex with a distinctive palate texture from fine tannins, acidity and contrasting core of fruit. There's a touch of wood smoke and stony earthy quality as well." 95 POINTS, Cameron Douglas MS, www.camerondouglasms.com

TASTING NOTES

Peach and cashew aromas with smoky/toasty elements, mineral, citrus and nectarine. Weight builds from a smooth entry. Flavours of peach, red apples and vanilla merge with nutmeg and slate. Focused fine and elegant, built to last.

Fruit was hand picked from 28 year old Mendoza clone Chardonnay vines and whole bunch pressed. The juice was fermented with predominantly wild yeast in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques. After ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Magazine, March 2021 issue

"Distinctive and powerful bouquet, quietly complex, but familiar too with aromas of brazil-nut and peach, toasty barrel and vanilla spices. Full-bodied, creamy and packed with flavours of stone fruits and citrus, pith and spice. Wood tannins and acidity bring texture and length on the palate. Youthful, engaging and very enjoyable."
94 POINTS - Cameron Douglas, The Shout Magazine, March 2021

TASTING NOTES

Aromas of lemon curd and stone fruits with apple and cashew. A rich and driving entry with lemon and peach on display early joined by notes of sweet pastry, white stone fruits and grapefruit. Bright focus, lovely poise and very lingering finish.

A portion of the fruit was crushed and soaked on skins before pressing. The balance was hand harvested and gently whole bunch pressed. Free run juice was put to oak barriques for combination of wild and inoculated fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes.

5 STARS -Michael Cooper   www.michaelcooperwinereviews.com

"Babich’s flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate was traditionally markedly leaner and tighter than other top Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to 10 months. Fragrant and finely textured, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a weighty wine, with deep peach and grapefruit flavours, mealy notes adding complexity and a seamless, lingering finish. Fresh, youthful and finely poised, it’s already enjoyable, but likely to be at its best 2022+."
5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwinereviews.com

TASTING NOTES

A plethora of citrus fruits with a peachy warmth, white blossoms and a hint of sweet cashew aromas. A full and rich entry and creamy mid-palate overlay a focused and fresh palate. Yellow and white stone fruit lead to a lengthy and limey finish.

A portion of the fruit was crushed and soaked on skins for 8-9 hours before pressing. The balance was hand harvested and gently whole bunch pressed. Free run juice was put to oak barriques for combination of wild and inoculated fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with char-grilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

92 POINTS - Bob Campbell, www.therealreview.com, April 2019
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz 2018
4.5 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018 issue
4 STARS - Cuisine Magazine Aug 2019
SILVER MEDAL - Global Chardonnay Masters 2018
SILVER MEDAL - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2019

"Babich's flagship Chardonnay.  A stylish wine, Irongate was traditionally markedly leaner and tighter than other top Hawke's Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal.  It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to 10 months.  Malolactic fermentation was very rare up to the 2002, but has since exerted a growing influence.  The 2017 vintage (4.5*) is a full-bodied, very youthful wine.  Tightly structured, it has strong, fresh, grapefruit and peach flavours, finely integrated oak adding complexity, excellent delicacy and harmony, and a long finish.  Best drinking 2020+"
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper. www.michaelcooper.co.nz, 2018

"Bright, high energy and moderately intense chardonnay with citrus, grapefruit, mineral, oyster shell, biscuit and spicy oak flavours. Should develop well with bottle age."
92 POINTS -Bob Campbell, www.realreview.com, Apr 2019

TASTING NOTES

Aromas of peach, apple and sweet oats overlay citrus and spice. Creamy and super smooth seamless entry into an rich and driving palate. Peach and orange rind; cashew with a touch of lemon grass. Great balance power and length.

Selected parcels of hand harvested fruit were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with char-grilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

BLUE GOLD MEDAL- Sydney International Wine Competition 2018
GOLD MEDAL - The Asian Chardonnay Masters 2018
GOLD MEDAL - Hawke's Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards 2017
GOLD MEDAL, 95 POINTS - Global Chardonnay Masters 2017
91 POINTS - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, Feb 2018
95 POINTS - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout,  Nov 2017
94 POINTS - Bob Campbell, The Real Review, 21 Apr 2018
5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz Apr 2018
5 STARS - Raymond Chan - raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz

"Bold, expressive, spicy, intense bouquet. Aromas and flavours of crushed yellow stone fruits, baked apple, wood spices, raw brown sugar and baking spices. A fully charged expression. Full-bodied, woody and ripe-fruited style; medium+ acidity and lengthy finish. A wine for all occasions."
95 POINTS -Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout Nov 2017

"The Irongate range comprises Babich's top-end releases. The 2016 Irongate Chardonnay comes from the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay and was entirely barrel fermented, seeing 20% new French oak. It's a ripe, medium to full-bodied wine, with scents and flavors of peach and melon and an overlay of toasted nuts and dried spices."
91 POINTS -Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, Feb 2018

"Bright, very pale straw colour with slight green hues, lighter edged.  The nose is elegant in proportion and tightly bound with fine and intense aromas of white and yellow stone-fruits, along with citrus fruit, melded with delicate mealy complexities, subtle creamy barrel-ferment elements, nutty oak and minerals.  This possesses finesse.  Medium-full bodied, the palate is fine-featured and taut with intense flavours of white stone-fruits interwoven with subtle creamy barrel-ferment elements, mealy nuances, and nutty, smoky oak.  The mouthfeel is fresh and lively, enhanced by lacy acidity, and the wine flows along a very fine-textured line, leading to a sustained, nuanced finish.  This is a taut and elegant, intensely flavoured Chardonnay with stone-fruit, mealy and nutty flavours on a fresh palate of finesse."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.com, Apr 2018

"The bouquet is fragrant, mealy and slightly smoky; the palate weighty, sweet-fruited and generous, with rich, ripe, grapefruit-like flavours to the fore, finely integrated oak, excellent delicacy and complexity, and a long finish.  A very elegant and harmonious wine, it should be at its best 2019+"
5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, Apr 2018

"Moderately weighty chardonnay with white peach, citrus, grapefruit and assertive spicy oak flavours. The wine has an appealingly ethereal texture and lengthy finish. Needs a little bottle age but approachable now."
-Bob Campbell, The Real Review, Apr 2018

TASTING NOTES

The nose is captivating and perfumed, liberally dosed with mealy notes that merge into white peach and apricot. The entry is sweet fruited and develops into a luscious and complex wine full of grapefruit, peach and cashew nut flavours. An attractive hint of vanilla biscuit can also be detected on the finely structured and layered palate. Lemon, citrus and spicy oak linger on the finish. A skillfully balanced wine.

Selected parcels of hand harvested fruit were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with char-grilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

SILVER MEDAL - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2016
90+ POINTS - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, June 2017
94 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout Hospitality Business Feb 2017
5 STARS - Bob Campbell, www.bobcampbell.nz, April 2017
4 STARS - Cuisine Magazine, Issue 184, Aug 2017
5 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz  Apr 2017

"Rich, bold, toasty and fruity with aromas of roasted and fleshy stone fruits, old grapefruit, stony baked soils and loaded with nutty oak tones. On the palate – full-bodied, rich in flavour and texture with fresh fruit and citrus leading, roasted versions follow, medium acidity, fine oak tannins, loads of texture and complexity with a lengthy and quite complex finish; youthful overall and requires cellar time to find complete harmony."
94 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout Hospitality Business Feb 2017

"Bright straw-yellow colour with pale lemon-gold hues.  The nose is fresh with a firm and well-concentrated core of ripe yellow stone-fruits melded with mealy and nutty elements, creamy barrel-ferment notes and complexing suggestions of flint, minerals, toast and smoke.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has flavours of fresh yellow stone-fruits, mealy and nutty layers, complexed by subtle a layering of creamy barrel-ferment and toasty oak forming a concentrated core.  The fruit is underlined by fresh acidity lending vitality, and a little alcoholic power providing drive and linearity.  The wine carries to a long and sustained finish of stone-fruits, mealy and nutty notes.  This is a firm, concentrated, complex Chardonnay with stone-fruit, mealy and nutty flavours on a lively palate with underlying power and linearity.  Match with seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 5+ years."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2017

"Fleshy, generous chardonnay with ripe peach, subtle mango, a squeeze of lime and nicely integrated toasted nut and bran biscuit characters. An intense, perfectly balanced wine that can be appreciated now but should develop well."
5 STARS -Bob Campbell, www.bobcampbell.nz, April 2017

"The 2015 Irongate Chardonnay is a bold, ripe style, displaying aromas of apricots, honeydew melon, butterscotch, cedar and lightly buttered toast with a hint of crushed cashews. This style is a little old school, with prominent oak and buttery notes on the palate plus an oiliness to the texture. Nonetheless, it is well done, presenting all the elements in harmony and offering great length."
90+ POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, June 2017

"Apple and citrus flavors are compact, light and crisp, with notes of lemon verbena on the finish."
-Wine Spectator, www.winespectator.com  2017

"Full lemon, quite bright with a hint of wafer and vanilla.  Milky, well-handled fruit, soft, round, nice balanced acids though.  Quite long, well put together.  A bit broader, almost oily/sweet/sweaty.  Quite generous and rewarding and nicely fleshy, plump, well balanced.  Good finish and quite nice integration."
4 STARS -Simon Nash - MW, WineNZ magazine, Winter 2017 issue

TASTING NOTES

Warm and complex aromas of peach, cashew and lemon. Immediate weight on entry to the palate with concentrated fruits including peach and lime, but savoury elements too. Firmly structured, viscous and smooth.

Selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The award winning Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with chargrilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards Best Value 2016
95 POINTS, 5 STARS - Bob Campbell, www.therealreview.com, April 2016
93 POINTS - Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout NZ, May 2016
92+ - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, www.erobertparker.com, #224, Apr 2016
5 STARS, 95 POINTS, Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, July 2016
5 STARS, 19/20 POINTS - -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2016
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2016 issue
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz
SILVER MEDAL - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2016
SILVER MEDAL - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2016

"The 2014 is still very youthful. Fleshy and rounded it has a strong ripe, peachy, slightly mealy and toasty flavours, subtle, finely textured and very harmonious, with a long finish."
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz

"Plenty of Chardonnay aromas with stone fruit and citrus, apple and oak; plenty of complexity as well yet all expressed individually as this example is still on its journey of integration and harmony. On the palate – youthful, crisp, oaky and dry; as suggested above the components are all present with lots of fruit and new oak flavours, medium+ acidity and stony mineral elements. Time is all that is needed (2 years); a wine with a lot of potential."
-Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout NZ, Sept 2015 issue

"Bright, even straw-yellow colour with light golden hues at the heart, lighter edged. This has a firm core to the nose that unfolds layers of ripe yellow stone-fruits, savoury citrus fruits, with waves of soft, nutty and flinty, mineral complexities, and smoky, toasty oak. This is fulsome, rich and deep in aromatics. Medium-full bodied, the palate is fresh, lively and energetic, with fulsome, growing flavours of yellow stone-fruits, citrus fruits, nutty and mineral layers and toasty oak. The flavours are complex and interwoven, and the mouthfeel shows a rich, subtly creamy, barrel-ferment texture balanced by lacy, refreshing acidity. This has elegance, grip, structure and tension, with the acidity and textures carrying the palate to a very long and sustained finish of stone-fruits, flint and toast. This is a full-flavoured, complex Chardonnay with layers of stone-fruit, flint and toasty oak, framed by a rich and lively mouthfeel. Match with roast pork, poultry and veal over the next 5+ years. Mendoza fruit from the ‘Irongate’ vineyard, hand-picked, WBP, and indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged nearly 10 months in 20% new French oak with batonnage and 20% MLF."
5 STARS 19/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwine reviews.co.nz, Jan 2016

"Concentrated grapefruit, white peach and stone fruit flavours, with an appealing seasoning of buttery lees and spicy oak. A strong fruit emphasis offers appeal. Rich, textural wine with obvious power and length."
95 POINTS 5 STARS -Bob Campbell, www.therealreview.com, April 2016

"Full, rich and distinctive bouquet with a core of baked stone fruit sparing with loads of new oak; nutty, rich and decidedly intense. On the palate - full-bodied, rich and creamy texture, youthful too with plenty of acidity, juicy fresh fruit, brazil nut, a touch of caramel and bite of new oak - all leading to a lengthy finish."
93 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, The Shout NZ

"The 2014 Irongate Chardonnay delivers tempting pink grapefruit, green mango and spice apple aromas with honeyed toast, marzipan and crushed rocks going on in the background. Medium bodied with great concentration and a lovely silken texture, it hits a homerun on the beautifully balanced and sophisticated palate, finishing with excellent length."
92+ POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, www.erobertparker.com, #224, Apr 2016

"Restrained and tightly structured, this youthful chardonnay shows aromas of white stone fruit, lemon peel, almond and flint on the nose. The palate is concentrated and focused with linear mouthfeel and firm acidity, finishing impressively long and mouth-watering. An engaging and savoury style promises to develop beautifully."
5 STARS 95 POINTS -Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, July 2016

"Elegant, estate-grown, Gimblett Gravels wine. Vibrant, ripe grapefruit-like flavours to the fore, with subtle mealy notes and well-integrated oak adding complexity, lively acidity and good harmony."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2016 issue

TASTING NOTES

Concentrated aromas of peach, brioche and lemon peel. The palate is full, again peach with layers of stone fruit, cashew, hint of toffee with good drive and length. Superb!

Selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The award winning Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with chargrilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL - China Wines & Spirits Awards Best Value 2015
5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014 issue
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014
5 STARS, 95 POINTS - Bob Campbell, www.bobcampbell.nz

"Fleshy, sweet-fruited and rich, this is a top vintage of the classic label. Weighty and finely poised, it is youthful, with concentrated, ripe, stonefruit flavours, a subtle seasoning of French oak, fresh acidity and a slightly creamy texture."
5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014 issue

"Mendoza clone fruit from the ‘Irongate’ vineyard, hand-picked and WBP, indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 20-25% new French oak with batonnage, avoiding MLF. Bright, very pale straw-yellow colour, lighter on rim. This has a fresh and youthful nose, with subtly rich aromas of ripe citrus and yellow stonefruits with gentle layers of nutty oak and creamy barrel-ferment notes. Toasty elements emerge with aeration, and the aromatics meld harmoniously building in detail. Medium-bodied, the flavours are tightly bound and concentrated at the core, emerging slowly, to show softly rich citrus and savoury, mealy yellow stonefruit flavours. The mouthfeel has creamy barrel-ferment textures balanced and enlivened by fine, ripe acidity, the wine flowing smoothly, with poise and freshness. The wine carries through to an elegant, very long, lingering finish with citrus, spice and nutty nuances. This is a stylish, subtle and elegant Chardonnay with a rich, citrussy creaminess."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014

"The 2013 Irongate Chardonnay offers notes of ripe peaches, melons and spiced pears with a cedar and toast undercurrent. Quite toasty in the mouth with a good amount of fruit to flesh it out, it has lively acid, silky tannins and an oaky finish."
-The Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #216 (Part 2) Jan 2015

"Quite a complex bouquet with depth and a little mystery – roasted and fresh stone fruits are housed in oak and wine making; stony even gravel- like mineral notes and smoky salted butter notes, flavors of nuts and a hint of bacon. On the palate – dry, very creamy and oaky with plenty of flavor and richness; full-bodied, medium+ acidity and mild oak tannins. Decant for service or continue to age."
4.5 STARS -Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, May 2015 issue, NZ Liquor News/FMCG Business.

"Intense, elegant Chardonnay with citrus/grapefruit, mineral/gunflint and biscuit, brioche and spicy oak flavours. The wine subtle fruit sweetness that is nicely restrained by fruity acidity and a suggestion of tannins. Reasonably complex Chardonnay with development potential."
5 STARS 95 POINTS -Bob Campbell, www.bobcampbell.nz

TASTING NOTES

Restrained aromas of cashew and citrus. Medium weighted and nicely structured with complex layers of fruit and mineral. Elegant.

Selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with chargrilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

5 STARS, 93 POINTS - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, November 2013

"More weight and richness than most Chardonnays from this region and vintage. Quite steely, a change from a usually more opulent style. Citrus, white peach, mineral, toasted nut and bread crust flavours."
4 STARS 87 POINTS -Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.co.nz, June 2013

"Mouthfilling, with strong, citrusy flavours, hints of marmalade and honey, and a subtle seasoning of oak. Quite forward."
-Winestate Magazine, July 2013

"From a cold, wet season, the 2012 is pale yellow, with a fragrant, mealy bouquet. Still very youthful, it is full-bodied, with fresh, citrusy, peachy, slightly buttery flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, barrel-ferment complexity and a finely poised, tight-knit finish."
-Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, August 2013

"It's beautifully restrained on the nose showing white peach, oatmeal, citrus and subtle vanillin oak aromas, leading to a concentrated palate that's finely texture and beautifully structured. It's delicate, elegant and youthful, just needs time to show it's true greatness. Very promising."
5 STARS, 93 POINTS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, November 2013

"A good wine from a difficult vintage that carries on the Irongate tradition of richness and flavour and delivers in sensible proportions the butter, oak and meal that underlies the citrus and the peaches."
-Warren Barton, Southland Times, 27 January 2014

"Full, even, light golden-yellow colour. The nose is elegant with an amalgam of savoury grapefruit and yellow stonefruit aromas integrated with subtle barrel-ferment nuttiness and mealy detail. Medium-bodied, light and tightly held flavours of savoury citrus fruits slowly reveal layers of nuts and spicy, mealy oak. There is richness and sweetness to the palate core, and a soft barrel-ferment creaminess. The mouthfeel is restrained and balanced and flows smoothly to a light, dry, textured and moderately sustained finish. This is an elegant and subtly nuanced Chardonnay with creamy citrus and nutty detail."
4 STARS 17.5/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, March 2014

"Very nice lemon cream notes on the nose with some floral-vanilla influences too. Ripe citrus and peachy stone fruit flavours show some nice oak support underneath. There's a pleasant white peppery firmness to the phenolics that give a firm, dry mouthfeel. Still youthful with lifted acidity but this wine show good balance, along with depth and complexity, finding it over-developed and dried-out."
-Wine NZ Magazine, Autumn 2014

TASTING NOTES

The nose is captivating and perfumed, liberally dosed with mealy notes that merge into white peach and apricot. The entry is sweet fruited and develops into a luscious and complex wine full of grapefruit, peach and cashew nut flavours. An attractive hint of vanilla biscuit can also be detected on the finely structured and layered palate. Lemon, citrus and spicy oak linger on the finish. A skillfully balanced wine.

In mid March, selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, 20% new, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under ten months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The award winning Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with chargrilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

5 STARS, 18.5/20 -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2012
5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, 2012
5 STARS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, June 2012
TOP 100 WINES FOR WINTER -Metro Magazine, NZ, June, 2012
SILVER MEDAL -Bragato Wine Awards 2012
SILVER MEDAL -New Zealand International Wine Show 2012
SILVER MEDAL -Hawke's Bay Wine Awards 2012
PURE SILVER MEDAL -Air NZ Wine Awards 2012
PURE SILVER MEDAL -Bragato Wine Awards 2013

"Mendoza clone fruit from the ‘Irongate’ vineyard hand-picked and WBP, indigenous yeast fermented in 25% new French oak to 13.0% alc., the wine lees-stirred and aged 7 months in barrel. Brilliant straw-yellow colour with slight green-lemon hues. The bouquet is softly layered and elegant with ripe grapefruit and stonefruit aromas, revealing delicate flint, creamy and nutty oak, all harmoniously interwoven. Medium-full bodied, this is subtle in presentation, with building flavours and textures. Ripe grapefruit and mealy notes are complexed with nuts and spices, and show richness. Bright acidity is tempered with a soft textured thread of grip through the line of the palate, leading to a very long, lingering finish with citrus fruit and toasty oak flavours. This is a complex and subtly layered Chardonnay that reveals more with each sip. Match with rich, creamy poultry, pork and veal dishes over the next 4-5+ years."
5 STARS 18.5/20 -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2012

"This wine is one of New Zealand's iconic chardonnays that simply oozes class and quality. Beautiful nougat and stonefruit aromas hint at the balance of the flavours. Delicate white peach characters are complimented by toasted nut flavours and juicy mineral based acidity. A super wine."
-Neil Hodgson, Nelson Mail, May, 2012

"A spicy, toasty oak aroma leads into a reasonably fleshy palate with grapefruit, peach and nectarine flavours competing with nutty oak and yeast lees. Serious, linear Chardonnay with drive and power."
4 STARS -Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.co.nz, May, 2012

"Babich’s flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate has traditionally been leaner and tighter than other top Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to 10 months. Malolactic fermentation was rare up to the 2002, but is now a growing influence. The 2011 vintage is a surprise - from a challenging, wet growing season, it has plenty of drink-young appeal and a real touch of class. The bouquet is very fragrant and mealy; the palate full-bodied and fresh, with concentrated grapefruit, peach and nut flavours, good acid spine, a slightly buttery richness, and excellent delicacy and complexity. Drink now or cellar."
5 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012

"A pretty, aromatic chardonnay with delicate lemon, grapefruit and floral, honeyed notes. The palate is tightly structured with subtle oak and a linear, fresh finish."
TOP 100 WINES FOR WINTER -Metro Magazine, NZ, June, 2012

"A flavoursome wine with a hint of smoky, spicy oak with a nutty undertone bolstering the fruit (ripe white peach), suggestions of toasty oatmeal and creme caramel on the lingering aftertaste, and a crisp, nicely balanced finish."
-Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, June 2012

"An appealing complexity quickly unfurls to show a range of stone fruits and apple laced in new and older oak, a leesy, savory edge adds complexity. Flavors and textures reveal a Burgundian like appeal with Hawke's Bay sweet and ripe stone fruit flavors. The oak is noticeable in such a youthful wine yet seems to add the right level of sweetness to carry the wine's flavors and complexities well. Balanced and well made."
5 STARS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, June 2012

"Powerful stone-fruit and spicy oak aromas complement soft buttery notes. Here we have a fine balance between delicacy, depth and complexity. The silky smooth palate delivers finely integrated oak and stone-fruit flavours, rich, ripe and balanced. A concentrated, complex and rewarding wine – New Zealand wine royalty."
-Deborah Walton-Derry and Peter Morice, Marlborough Express, July, 2012

"Finely tuned wine, not with the oak of the past yet there are still some lovely oak effects. Clearly youthful yet already showing the Irongate elegance and some very classy fruit tones. The vines in the Irongate block on Gimblett Road have plenty of age and the results of this are clear also in the mouth-feel and finesse of this wine. No hurry."
-Peter Saunders, Peter's Picks, Hospitality Magazine, NZ, July 2012

"There’s something symphonic about the way this wine builds and retreats and then builds again. Rich and elegant, but more integrated than some past vintages, it’s packed with mealy peach and citrus on the nose. It opens up like a flower on the palate, with soft, creamy fruit and oak notes. A brilliant addition to a classic range of wines. Forget the price, buy as much as you can."
-Wine of The Week, Don Kavanagh, Herald on Sunday, NZ, July 12th, 2012

"From Auckland’s heritage Babich family winery, and grown in Hawkes’ Bay’s Gimblett Gravels region. The grapes were whole bunch pressed. This is an elegant young Chardonnay – pale gold in colour. Creamy yeast, vanilla and honeyed fruit flavours, backed by subtle oak giving way to a mineral crisp finish. Would cellar nicely for two or three years."
-Phil Parker, On MAS, August 2012

"Ageworthy, elegant wine with mouthfilling body, strong, peachy, biscuity flavours, finely integrated oak and a dry, creamy-smooth finish. Drink now or cellar."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Sept/Oct 2012

"Fermented in French oak, 20% new, the 2011 Irongate Chardonnay was aged in oak for 10 months. It gives notes of guava, honeydew melon and green mango over toast, cedar, almonds and apricots. Medium bodied, there’s a good amount ripe tropical flavors in the mouth marked by crisp acidity and finishing long with some oak showing through. Drinking now, it should remain to 2015."
-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #203, Oct 2012

"One of the better-priced, classy Hawke's Bay chardonnays. Trademark peach and grapefruit flavours leavened with meal and nuts. A very stylish, complex chardonnay."
-Warren Barton, The Southland Times, Jan, 2013

"This chardonnay always stands the test of time. It is golden in colour with a honeyed apricot nose. It has an oily mouthful that presents the stonefruit flavours well. It has fresh acidity, good length and will continue to age gracefully."
4 STARS -Giles Hine, TiZwine.com, March 2013

"Fine texture, fragrant nose is highly toned and complex. So too is the palate which is clean and intricate, with some lovely oak holding hands with intense citrus (grapefruit) characters and mellow spiciness. A perfect assemblage of detail delivering a well-shaped, intricate wine of considerable elegance. A great performance, larded with just the right amount of fat to earn its place at the top table."
-Hospitality/Thirst Magazine, March 2013

"Wild ferment flavours are a feature of this decadently smooth creamy number. You hear the word ‘seamless’ for wine, and this is one of those wines the descriptor is made for. With nuts, spice, fleshy peach and nectarine, it is so harmonious in texture and flavour and the finish lasts for minutes. Excellent."
-www.wineoftheweek.co.nz/wineblog/2013/06/08/sublime-chardonnays/ - Sue Courtney, June 2013

TASTING NOTES

The nose is captivating and perfumed, liberally dosed with mealy notes that merge into white peach and apricot. The entry is sweet fruited and develops into a luscious and complex wine full of grapefruit, peach and cashew nut flavours. An attractive hint of vanilla biscuit can also be detected on the finely structured and layered palate. Lemon, citrus and spicy oak linger on the finish. A skillfully balanced wine.

In mid March, selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, 20% new, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under seven months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The award winning Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with char-grilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

SILVER MEDAL -Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, October 2011
89 POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #197, Oct 2011
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012
4 STARS -TiZwine.com, Feb 2012
5 STARS, 94 POINTS - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Magazine, Issue 18, www.wineorbit.co.nz , March 2012
4.5 STARS -Cuisine Magazine, May 2012
4 STARS, 90 POINTS -Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.com, Dec, 2011

"Bright light lemon-hued golden-straw colour with a pale edge. The bouquet is full with complex amalgam of aromas of ripe stonefruits, grapefruit and mealy, nutty oak, with hints of butter, toast and flint. This combines power and richness with a surprisingly stylish restraint and elegance. The flavours of ripe grapefruit, mealy, nutty, toasty oak are mouthfilling and creamy barrel-ferment and buttery elements provide a dense, weighty presence and rich texture. The palate finishes with excellent length and nutty, spicy oak flavours. A rich, full and sophisticated wine with a degree of class."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, October 2011

"Fermented in French oak, 25% new, and aged in oak for 9 months, the 2010 Irongate Chardonnay displays intense notes of apricots, peach kernels and honeydew melon over grilled baguette, toasty oak and meal. Medium full bodied, there’s a nice suggestion of creaminess to the texture countered by crisp acid."
89 POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #197, Oct 2011

"Babich’s flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate has traditionally been leaner and tighter than other top Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to nine months. Malolactic fermentation was rare up to the 2002, but is now a growing influence. The 2010 vintage is still a baby, with obvious potential for long-term cellaring. Weighty and creamy-textured, it has strong, ripe, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, mealy, complex and harmonious. Open 2013+."
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012

"Babich Irongate Chardonnay has long been of the finest and long lasting chardonnays around. The 2010 looks well up to standard. Tropical fruits with a whiff of smoke on the nose are overtaken by the toasty oak and stonefruit flavours in the palate. There is also an underlying citrus element which adds complexity. Rich and powerful with a lingering finish."
-TiZwine.com, Feb 2012

"As always, this is a lovely refined expression of the variety displaying citrus, white peach, cashew and subtle vanillin oak characters. The palate is concentrated and focused with silky texture and an extremely long, linear finish. Beautifully framed and structured, this youthful Chardonnay is destined to develop gradually to show greater complexity in time."
94 POINTS 5 STARS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Magazine, Issue 18, www.wineorbit.co.nz, March 2012

"Fresh apple, lemon/citrus, white peach flavours with a solid seasoning of toast, bran biscuit and classy oak. Restrained and elegant wine with appealing sweet fruit balanced by fine acidity and gentle tannins. This is a classy and complex Chardonnay with good cellaring potential."
4 STARS 90 POINTS -Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.com, Dec, 2011

"This new addition to the proud line of Irongate chardonnays reveals its aristocratic breeding via elegant aromatics, fleshy texture and good depth of flavour. There’s a wisp of smokiness and lovely, crunchy acidity. A wine you’d be happy to serve at any celebratory occasion."
4.5 STARS -Cuisine Magazine, May 2012

"A hint of smoke on the nose. Palate is ripe and creamy with sweet fruit flavours of fig, melon and apricot. A hint of nuts and spice."
-WineNZ Magazine, Autumn 2012

TASTING NOTES

The nose is captivating and perfumed, liberally dosed with mealy notes that merge into white peach and apricot. The entry is sweet fruited and develops into a luscious and complex wine full of grapefruit, peach and cashew nut flavours. An attractive hint of vanilla biscuit can also be detected on the finely structured and layered palate. Lemon, citrus and spicy oak linger on the finish. A skillfully balanced wine.

In mid March, selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, 20% new, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. The wine spent just under seven months in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with chargrilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

4 STARS, 17/20 -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2011
5 STARS, 94 POINTS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb, 2011
4 STARS -Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.com, April 2011
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, Sept/Oct 2011
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012

"This label has a first-class pedigree stretching back to the first vintage in 1985. Fruit from a single vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels, whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc., then aged 11 months in oak, 25% new. Brilliant light green-gold in colour, this has a fullish, open and accessible nose of yellow stone-fruits and a steely mealiness, complexed with savoury cream elements. The wine has a full, broadly expressed palate with melon and ripe tropical fruit flavours, botrytis-like apricot notes, butter and toasty oak. The acidity is soft and the palate is becoming integrated. The soft breadth of the mouthfeel indicates this will mature over the next 2-4 years. Drink with poultry and pork dishes."
17/20 4 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2011

"It's youthful yet showing excellent intensity and harmony on the nose, showing peach, tropical fruit and vanillin oak characters. The palate is concentrated and weighty with silky texture and a long expansive finish. This is more forward than other vintages of Irongate Chardonnays, making it immensely drinkable already. Just gorgeous. Grapes were grown on their vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels district, whole bunch pressed, fermented in French oak (25% new) using indigenous yeast, then matured for about seven months in barrels. At its best: now to 2015."
94 POINTS 5 STARS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb, 2011

"Big, rich, concentrated and oaky Chardonnay with strong ripe peach and melon flavours together with a solid influence of bran biscuit and spicy oak. A little raw right now but has gold medal potential."
4 STARS -Bob Campbell, www.bobswinereviews.com, April 2011

"Pale gold, mouthfilling, fresh and youthful, it is sweet-fruited, with good acid spine, finely integrated oak and good intensity of peachy, spicy, toasty, faintly honeyed flavours. Drink mid 2012-13."
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, Sept/Oct 2011

"Babich’s flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate has traditionally been leaner and tighter than other top Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to nine months. Malolactic fermentation was rare up to the 2002, but is now a growing influence. The 2009 is a solid but not memorable vintage. Pale gold, mouthfilling, fresh and youthful, it is sweet-fruited, with good acid spine, finely integrated oak and good intensity of peachy, spicy, toasty, faintly honeyed flavours."
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012

TASTING NOTES

This wine has a rich, opulent and perfumed nose. Sweet hay, apricots and cashew lift persistently and delightfully from the glass. The palate is powerful yet smooth with layers of peach, citrus and walnut. A delectably plump and leesy weight is complimented by the smooth texture. A lengthy finish of dried apricots complete this very classy wine.

In late March, selected parcels of hand harvested fruit, from the Babich Irongate vineyard, were gently whole bunch pressed. The free run was put to French oak, 25% new, for wild fermentation. After primary ferment the wine was lees stirred to add complexity and build palate weight. A total of 11 months was spent in barrel before assembly and bottling.

The Babich Irongate Chardonnay is an intense, richly flavoured wine and is an ideal match for rich seafood and white meat dishes. Try it with char-grilled squid and lemon butter sauce, or barbecued chicken.

94 POINTS, 5 STARS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Oct 2010
4.5 STARS, 'CLASSIC', VALUE+ -Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2011
4.5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper, March/April 2011
5 STARS -Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2011
5 STARS -Hawke’s Bay Today, '5 of The Best', Yvonne Lorkin, March 26, 2011
4 STARS, 90 POINTS -Bob Campbell MW, bobswinereviews.com, April, 2011
90 POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #197, Oct 2011

"This is a little more refined than the intensely flavoured 2007 Irongate, displaying complex aromas of white peach, citrus, pineapple and nutty oak. The palate is full and intense showing rich texture, bright acidity and an expansive finish. The wine is, once again, perfectly harmonised with plenty of appealing flavours. At its best: now to 2014."
94 POINTS 5 STARS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Oct 2010

"Babich's flagship Chardonnay. A stylish wine, Irongate has traditionally been leaner and tighter than other top Hawke's Bay Chardonnays, while performing well in the cellar, but the latest releases have more drink-young appeal. It is based on hand-picked fruit from the shingly Irongate Vineyard in Gimblett Road, fully barrel-fermented (about 20 per cent new), and lees-matured for up to nine months. Malolactic fermentation was rare up to the 2002 vintage but is now a growing influence. The 2008 is powerful, with ripe, stone-fruit flavours. Already quite open, it is vibrant, generous, soft and rich, in a drink-now or cellaring style."
4.5 STARS, 'CLASSIC', VALUE+ -Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2011

"Powerful, soft and rich wine with strong personality. Mealy, biscuity and creamy, with some minerally notes and excellent depth of peach, fig and spice flavours, showing good complexity and roundness. A forward vintage, already highly expressive."
4.5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Michael Cooper, March/April 2011

"Bright green-gold hued straw yellow in colour, this has a very tightly bound, fine and elegant nose of subtle white stonefruits, delicate oak nuttiness and minerals. This is a wine with understated power, possessing a dense core of concentrated stoneftuit flavours allied to mealiness, nutty oak and steel. Some alcohol warmth and body is noticeable, but the acidity is fresh, resulting in an excellent overall balance. The fruit is sourced from a single vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels, whole bunch pressed and wild yeast barrel fermented to 14.5% alc., then aged 11 months in oak, 25% new. This will develop well over the next 5-6 years."
18.5/20 5 STARS -Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2011

"Babich’s flagship chardonnay is a power-packed whopper of a wine bursting with juicy peach and grapefruit flavours, while showing taut acidity, elegant oak and sublime, mouth-filling, textural length of flavour. I’m certain it will cellar comfortably until 2014, and it’s a no-brainer as to how this came to be a popular New Zealand chardonnay – superb stuff indeed. Enjoy with chicken breast stuffed with spinich and ricotta and wrapped in streaky bacon."
5 STARS -Hawke’s Bay Today, '5 of The Best', Yvonne Lorkin, March 26, 2011

"Powerful but sleek and quite elegant Chardonnay with grapefruit, spicy oak and nutty lees flavours. Still very youthful and quite closed with obvious cellaring potential. Very impressive wine."
4 STARS 90 POINTS -Bob Campbell, bobswinereviews.com, April, 2011

"Aged for 10 months in French oak, 20% new, the 2008 Irongate Chardonnay has an intensely toasty, ripe apricot and peach kernel scented nose with nuances of ginger & spice. Full bodied, rich, and concentrated, it has just enough medium-high level acid lending freshness, finishing long. Drinking now, it should remain good through 2014+."
90 POINTS -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #197, Oct 2011