Reviews

Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, January 22-23 2026

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2021

The bouquet opens with tight, flinty aromas of lime flower, spearmint, lemon, crisp apple, green olive and wet stone, with nutty complexity gradually emerging. Despite its age, the wine remains very concentrated and youthful, showing electrifying acidity wrapped in layers of white fruit and minerality. The palate reveals a dense core with a ceramic texture and concentrated flavours, though a hardness from reduction still needs time to resolve in bottle. The finish is sneakily long and evolving, with notes of cinnamon, smoke and brioche appearing in waves. Very impressive overall, but this wine needs considerable time in bottle to come around. 2030–2041. 97 Points

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2021

Reticent and broodingly closed, this only reluctantly unfolds with extended time in the glass despite its age. Distinctive, high-impact oak with roasted coffee and vanilla flavours meet a hint of flint ahead of the immensely concentrated, mouth-filling black cherry, violet and raspberry fruit. Ripe, submerged tannins and taut acidity battle with the intensity of flavour across the palate, creating tension and adding to the already impressive length. Just starting to reveal hints of roasted nut, earth and olive complexity on the finish, this massive and oaky yet energetic pinot is a decade away from maturity and will richly reward those with patience. 2029–2043. 97 Points

Bell Hill Single Parcel Shelf Pinot Noir 2020

Confidently powerful with surprisingly youthful restraint which is barely able to contain the intense concentration within. A cool layer of flint and blackberry leaf lead the way for the magnificently concentrated yet elegant palate. Velvet-textured tannins and roasted coffee oak provide the underlying structure for the very perfumed flavours of violet, blueberry and black raspberry. Despite the evident power and intensity, the lithe acidity creates a sense of levity and lightness, keeping the alcoholic ripeness and oak from weighing things down. The key here is the incredibly long, perfumed finish which outlives all of the structure, wood and tannin. Although it is already six years old, this is still a baby and will require many more years before it reveals its true qualities. 2030-2044. 98 Points

Bell Hill Single Parcel Limeworks Chardonnay 2020

Reticent on the nose with brooding density which reluctantly releases hints of shortbread, spearmint, orchid and oyster shell with vigorous aeration. Bursting with saline tension which is barely contained within the notes of talcum, chalk and lemon zest, the palate enters silky before unfolding in a kaleidoscope of etched flavour which swings from tight and minerally to rich, toasty flavours of viennoiserie. Despite its density and power, it is poised and even relatively elegant. Surprisingly unevolved for its age, this astounding wine commands attention effortlessly and will reward a long sleep in the cellar with unmatched complexity. Grand vin. 2026-2042. 98 Points

Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, April 24 2026

New Zealand: A (Mostly) South Island Wrap

2021 Bell Hill Chardonnay The 2021 is toasty and nutty on the nose, with crushed cashews, toasted almonds, freshly picked curry leaf, indicating a touch of reduction there, and a profusion of yellow orchard fruit. The wine exhibits a rich, creamy mid-palate that is skewered by bright acidity and a long, persistent finish. The malolactic fermentation makes a big statement in this wine; it hints at richness akin to custard and yet pulls back just in time. Perhaps of particular interest is the perception of acidity, which is immense, signaling that a wine without malolactic from this cool part of the world would indeed be a terse affair. This is a sensational wine here, and it is well deserving of its legions of fans. Production is usually in the vicinity of a couple of thousand bottles only. Sealed under screw cap. Drink Date 2025-2036, 95 Points

2021 Bell Hill Pinot Noir The 2021 Pinot Noir leads with sandalwood spice and cherry seed, start anise, crushed coffee grounds, scratched blood orange and a hint of licorice. The palate is transparent and intense, with fine tannins that shape the fruit in the mouth and through the finish. The acidity is pronounced here, which is no surprise for the cool area, and it opens the palate up. This is an open-weave, cashmere-esque wine (light but warm), with persistence and length through the finish. This is very good. Sealed under screw cap. Drink Date 2025-2035, 94 Points

Jancis Robinson, Saturday 27 June 2026.

Tasting Top Chardonnays Blind “…to my great delight two of my highest Chardonnay scores went to two of the least expensive wines, Sieur D’Arques, Toques et Clochers Haut Vallee Chardonnay 2024 Limoux and the Uruguayan Familia Deicas, Preludio Barrel Select Lote No 29 2020 Juanico Canelones…Admittedly my other two favourites were much more expensive (and both from New Zealand): Bell Hill Limeworks Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury and Felton Road, Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021. All 17.5/20 Points

Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter Magazine
JANUARY 2026

Decanter - Wines of the Year 2025

Head east across the Tasman Sea, however, and Bell Hill Vineyard in Waikari does bring to mind the limestone soils of both Champagne and Burgundy.

Bell Hill, Chardonnay, North Canterbury, New Zealand, 2019 Hard to find but well worth the hunt. A subtle wine, with dried lemon, tangerine, lime flower and delicate bran biscuit notes, plus a distinctive mineral tang. It changes a lot in the glass – many layers to explore, with a sense of volume and flow anchored around a tight core. Very saline, with lively energy and vitality, deceptively long.

Drink 2026-2045 - 97 Points

Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, May 18 2026

The Real Review, Winery of the Year New Zealand 2026: Bell Hill

Bell Hill is a winery with incredible pedigree and a long-standing reputation for excellence. The general view is that they require 15-20 years to reach maturity, something we tend to expect only from good examples of Grand Cru burgundy. The most recently reviewed wines, released at the end of 2025, are the Chardonnay 2021, Pinot Noir 2021, The Shelf Pinot Noir 2020 and the Limeworks Chardonnay 2020 – four absolutely astounding wines which deserve a place in the cellar of every serious New Zealand wine collector.

Stephanie Holmes, The New Zealand Herald, 20^th May 2026

Winery of the year – A Canterbury winery has claimed the number-one spot in this year’s top 50 countdown…The top 50 New Zealand wineries for 2026 have been named, with a Canterbury winery taking the top spot. Online wine critic platform The Real Review has named Bell Hill from Waipara (sic) its Winery of the Year, jumping up the list from 12^th place last year. “Bell Hill has firmly established itself at the forefront of New Zealand winemaking,” Real Review judge Jane Skilton MW said. “The consistency and calibre across the range this year made them a clear standout.”

Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter Magazine, 1 April 2026

Discover North Canterbury – New Zealand’s hidden gem

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2021 The subtle nose doesn’t give much away at first but slowly opens up with light almond meal, grapefruit and lime citrus, a touch of fresh cream and delicate bran biscuit. Super-fine texture, very light on its feet, while being deceptively intense and dense. This has a lovely luminous mineral energy and vitality, and it’s very, very long. From a high-density site, farmed biodynamically. Mostly while cluster pressed. 12 months in 17% new oak, plus eight more in tank. 2026-2040. 97 Points

2026