The Huntress is the woman behind the evocative label on this wine of the week, which pays homage to the native flora and fauna in Aotearoa New Zealand. As gorgeous as I find the label, the wines inside the Huntress bottles are also highly appealing, as much for their excellence in production as for their courage in adhering as much as possible to using certified organic grapes and as few inputs to the wine as possible. 

Here is my review of Huntress winemaker Jannine Rickards latest Chardonnay.

Wine of the week 

17.5/20

2023 Huntress Chardonnay RRP $40

Fleshy, succulent, dry and savoury, this Chardonnay is a youthful wine made from hand picked grapes grown on the Osaka Vineyard on the Mangatahi Terraces in Hawke's Bay. The 2023 vintage was a challenging one, interrupted by a cyclone, but it gave winemakers a challenge to rise to as this wine shows with its freshness and depth. The wine was made in the Wairarapa where it was aged in seasoned French oak barrels, which add weight and accentuate the savoury aromas of cedar and spice. 

Drinks well now and can age for another four to five years, potentially beyond. Impressive.