Coopers Creek Limeworks Chardonnay 2023

Awarded 94/100 & 5 Stars – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2024
Awarded 93/100 – Cameron Douglas MS, Nov 2024

Winemaking
The Limeworks Chardonnay is a full-throttle, barrel-fermented style from Coopers Creek, sourced from premium vineyards in Hawke’s Bay. Fermented and matured in oak barriques—with a significant portion being new French and American oak—this wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and regular lees stirring to achieve its signature creaminess and weight. It’s bold, expressive, and not shy on character.

Interesting Fact
The name Limeworks refers to the limestone-rich soils of the vineyard site—an uncommon soil type in Hawke’s Bay that adds texture and complexity to the wine. It’s also a subtle nod to the wine’s creamy, mineral-edged structure.

Bouquet
Aromas of grilled peach, ripe fig and butterscotch leap from the glass, layered with hints of vanilla bean, roasted hazelnuts and smoky oak. It’s an intensely aromatic Chardonnay, brimming with warmth and richness.

Palate
Lush and powerful on the palate, this wine offers waves of ripe stone fruit, pineapple, and crème brûlée. The oak is toasty and prominent, bringing structure and spice, while the creamy lees influence rounds out the body. The finish is long, smooth, and packed with butterscotch and nutty depth—a quintessentially bold New Zealand Chardonnay.

Food Pairing
A perfect partner for roast pork with crackling, creamy chicken dishes, or smoked fish pie. For a local match, try it with pāua fritters, grilled corn, or kumara mash with garlic butter.