Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Oct-2022
Bright, pale straw yellow with a faint green sheen, even colour throughout. The nose is elegantly full, with power, citrus, stonefruit and hazelnut aromas interweaving, underlying pastry and creamy lees. Full-bodied, aromas of lemon curd, apricot and a suggestion of pineapple enriched by roasted hazelnut, pastry and delicate spice. The wine is powerful with weight, tension, and quality new oak provides an unctuous mouthfeel and lends a sweet-fruited, long finish. This Chardonnay shows tension from the Te Awanga coastal influence and a powerful palate with new oak and sweet fruit. Will benefit from further ageing. Serve decanted and match with roast guinea fowl and crayfish mornay over the next 8+ years. 100% fruit from Sea vineyard in Te Awanga, 88% clone 15 & 12% clone 95, whole bunch pressed to barrel, naturally fermented to 14% alc, partial MLF, aged 18 months on light lees, 12 months in barrel, 25% new oak and 6 months in tank. 575 cases produced. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Oct 2022 RRP $59
