Overview
Les Beaux Cailloux, meaning “the beautiful pebbles”, is Craggy Range's refined Chardonnay from select blocks in Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay. Part of the producer's Prestige Collection, it is shaped by a restrained winemaking approach designed to express the distinctive stony terroir, with minerality, savouriness, energy and precision at its core.
Vineyard
The 2024 vintage was sourced from two low-vigour Chardonnay parcels in Gimblett Gravels: an eastern section of Block 34 planted to Mendoza clone, handpicked on 27 February, followed by a similarly low-vigour parcel of Block 40 planted to clone 95. The concentration of stones in these sites contributes to the distinctive mineral and savoury character of Les Beaux Cailloux.
Winemaking
The fruit was whole-bunch pressed to stainless steel for ambient settling overnight before being racked to French oak for fermentation in one new barrique and two puncheons with indigenous yeast. Lees from the previous Les Beaux Cailloux vintage were added before fermentation. A warm fermentation was followed by full spring malolactic fermentation.
The wine matured for 11 months in oak on full lees without stirring, followed by four months in stainless steel on light lees. It was bottled in June 2025 without fining and received a coarse filtration before bottling.
Producer Tasting Notes
“Pale straw in colour. The nose is intense and expressive, revealing layers of lemon curd and fresh zest, roasted hazelnut, brioche and nectarine. The palate flows effortlessly, yet is underpinned by a striking salinity and chalkiness that bring freshness and definition. Savoury nuances intertwine seamlessly with citrus flavours, creating superb balance and length. A wine that speaks clearly of site and vintage, capturing the distinctive Gimblett Gravels terroir and our signature style.”
Critic Reviews
97 Points — Andrew Caillard MW
96 Points — James Suckling
“Energetic and linear white with sliced apple, pear and flint aromas and flavors, giving a steely edge that makes it focused and clear.”
Published 10 September 2026
96 Points — Ken Gargett
95 Points — Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
“It's flinty and struck-matchy with gorgeous white nectarine, fleshy peach, grapefruit and citrus fruits at its core…”
Tasted 09 August 2026
Published 25 August 2026
95 Points — Cameron Douglas MS
“A completely seductive wine with voices of purity and style, site and the one of the many faces that Chardonnay can be.”
Tasted July 2026
95 Points — Stephen Wong MW
Producer
Founded in 1999 by Terry Peabody and winemaker Steve Smith MW, Craggy Range has established itself as one of New Zealand's leading premium wine producers. Its heart is in Hawke's Bay, particularly the renowned Gimblett Gravels, with further vineyard holdings including the Te Muna Road Estate in Martinborough.
Les Beaux Cailloux forms part of Craggy Range's five-wine Prestige Collection and represents a highly selected Chardonnay expression from Gimblett Gravels. The collection showcases some of the producer's most distinguished vineyard wines, alongside Sophia, The Quarry, Le Sol and Aroha.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2024
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Producer: Craggy Range
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Wine: Les Beaux Cailloux
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Grape: Chardonnay
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Region: Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay
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Country: New Zealand
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Vineyard Parcels: Block 34 Mendoza clone and Block 40 clone 95
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Alcohol: 13.5%
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pH: 3.23
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Acidity: 5.72g/L
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Pressing: Whole-bunch pressed
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Fermentation: Indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak
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Malolactic Fermentation: Full
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Maturation: 11 months in oak on full lees without stirring, followed by 4 months in stainless steel on light lees
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Production Attributes: Unfined; coarse filtration before bottling
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Bottled: June 2025
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Drinking Window: 2026–2036
