Cam Douglas 96/100 – outstanding – A bouquet filled with energy and power, concentration, complexity and a sense of site and vintage. The core of the bouquet centers on aromas of grapefruit and a mix of peachy stone fruit scents, clay soils and a white smoke quality from the use of lees, whole-bunch and precise barrel selections. Still taut and youthful as the wine touches the palate with energy from the acid line, barrel and core fruit flavours. Tannins and acid line deliver a solid structure tempered by fruit and complexities. Dry, lengthy, taut, new and delicious with best drinking likely from 2026 through 2032.outstanding

Robert Parker 94+/100 – The 2021 Madre Chardonnay is the third vintage made, and it’s rich yet taut. In the mouth, the wine initially leads with lashings of orchard fruit, brine and pink grapefruit, but it quickly pulls in tight through themid-palate and sails out over the fi nish. It is billowing but directionaland unfurls in the mouth like a gib in high wind. Through the fi nish,there is plenty of tannin, which shapes the fruit. I like it very much,and I will love to see how this ages. It feels like it will go well. 14%alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Erin Larkin

Michael Cooper | 5 stars – The powerful 2021 vintage of The Landing’s premium Chardonnay was estate-grown in the Bay of Islands. Hand-harvested mostly from vines planted in 2007, it was fermented and matured on its yeast lees for 11 months in French oak barriques and puncheons. Bright lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with fresh acidity and concentrated, vibrant, peach and grapefruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak. A distinctive, savoury, vigorous wine, complex and finely structured, it’s still unfolding; best drinking mid-2025+.

Bob Campbell l MW 96/100 – Intense, vibrant chardonnay with electric energy and impressive purity. Oyster shell/saline characters give a nod in the direction of Burgundy. Delicious wine that oozes finesse. Made with a light touch.