The lion’s share of Trinity Hill’s grapes comes from the Gimblett Gravels region, in the lee of Roy’s Hill. The gravelly soils were left behind by the Ngaruroro River as it changed course over time. The low fertility soils offer little kindness to the vines, forcing them to work and work to produce small crops of great flavour and aromatic concentration.
The Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay shows a tight structure and shape, intensity and finesse.
"A gorgeous Chardonnay, the inviting bouquet shows white nectarine, rockmelon, vanilla and hazelnut aromas with nuances of flint and oatmeal. The palate is concentrated and beautifully weighted, delivering fabulous fruit purity combined with stylish oak infusion, brilliantly framed by creamy texture and bright acidity."
95 points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Aug 2017.
"Bright, even yellow colour with lemon-gold hues, a little paler on the rim. The nose is fresh and elegant with openly accessible aromatic volume, showing white and yellow stonefruits complexed by a harmonious layering of gunflint and minerals, along with nutty oak and subtle creamy barrel-ferment nuances, revealing toasty oak hints. The aromatics build in intensity and concentration with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate has bright and refreshing flavours of white and yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits entwined with creamy and nutty oak, and complexing notes of gunflint and minerals. The flavours form a tight core, and the mouthfeel is enlivened by lacy acidity, the wine flowing along a fine-textured line, leading to a crisp, lingering finish of stonefruits, citrus fruit and minerals. This is a bright, lively and refreshing Chardonnay with intense and concentrated, complex flavours of stonefruits, citrus fruits, nutty oak and minerals, on a fine-textured palate."
19 points, Raymond Chan, Aug 2017.
"Bright, youthful chardonnay with grapefruit, struck flint, mineral, hazelnut and spicy oak flavours. A high energy chardonnay that needs a little time to deliver its full potential."
92 points, Bob Campbell MW, Sept 2017.
"A neat array of melon and pear fruits. Some white peach, flint and spice, too. The palate has a smooth, even and easygoing fruit-focused style to it. Drink now. Screw cap."
92 points, James Suckling.
The 2016 Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay has a charming, well-defined bouquet of subtle tropical tones and focused orange pith and light walnut scents. The balanced palate is taut and linear, displaying a fine line of acidity, impressive depth and a classy, slightly nutty finish that feels long and satisfying. Excellent.
