Morton Estate Coniglio Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2002.

The Morton Estates Winery is a wine lover’s dream. Privately owned with the focus on producing only good wine – and some exceptional wine too! The winery’s based at Kati Kati below the Coramandel Peninsular where I lived for a year. Morton own some of the best vineyards in both Hawke’s Bay - the best area for Chardonnay, and Marlborough – the best for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. They are one of the few remaining wineries who take complete control of their own wines from vineyard right through to bottle closure, ensuring top quality every step of the way. They’ve won more awards than the Chinese Olympic Team including ‘Decanter - Best Chardonnay in the World’ and ‘New Zealand Winery of the Year’ amongst others. You can order their wines with confidence that they’re going to be good, or even great!

What’s it like?

In a word – superb! Coniglio is only produced in exceptional years when the conditions are just right. This 2002 won Decanter’s award for ‘Best World Chardonnay over £10′ for a remarkable two years back to back! The best Chardonnay in the world? Up against all those supposedly great Burgundies? In my opinion I’ve never had a Burgundy that even comes close to this wine. The grapes are selected by hand then fermented and matured in new French oak barriques producing a wine of exceptional style and elegance, soft yet full with incredible length. Each bottle is individually numbered and presented in it’s own branded gift carton. Go on indulge yourself!

How much? Where can I buy it?

You can buy Morton Estates Coniglio Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2002 from www.goodwineonline.co.uk for £26.99 and they’ve confirmed they hold it in stock . There’s a few independents who list the wine but don’t hold any, they have to order it in once you’ve placed your order!