Bilancia is a small Hawke's Bay producer of exceptional Chardonnay, Viognier/Marsanne/Roussanne and Syrah. It is the label of winemakers Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson and was established in 1997 when Lorraine and Warren returned to New Zealand from winemaking overseas. The first wines were released in mid 1998 and the first la collina Syrah in 2002

A single vineyard Chardonnay from Trelinnoe (tree-lin-o) Vineyard on Roys Hill named for the owner’s historical ties to Cornwall. Trelinnoe Chardonnay is a part of our project to highlight some of the most unique, small, single vineyards in Hawke’s Bay.

2020 was a spectacular vintage for Hawke’s Bay and this Chardonnay shows greatness of the vintage. Ripe, full fruit and complexity perfectly balanced with the oak influence results in a classic, tight Chardonnay, moderately restrained in its youth but with time it will open up to rich food friendly wine.

This is delicious. Flinty, yellow stone fruits, ripe apple, slate-like notes, licks of nougat and sugared almond but geez this is fresh and cool and bright. Slippery texture, cool, minerally core, extreme length and gently palate coating riper stone fruits and almond paste in tow. Fresh, briny lingering things in the finish. Wow stuff. Beautiful. Tasted: Nov 2022; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $60; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2022-2027+; Rated: 95 Points; Mike Bennie; The Wine Front