Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 21-Sep-2022
Bright, pale yellow with a gold sheen and some depth, even colour throughout. The nose is full and complex, greeted with flint, grapefruit pith underlying stonefruit, raw almond and stony minerals. Medium-full bodied, aromas of ripe apricot, nectarine melded with pink grapefruit and its pith, unfolding stony minerals, flint, almond and warm butter. The fruit is abundant and succulent, delicate spices layered alongside minerals added texture. Juicy and fine acidity carries flavours with ease and lends a moreish lingering. This generous Chardonnay possesses ripe stonefruit, minerals, flint and integrated oak details. Match with baked grouper with lemon cream and Korean fried chicken over the next 5-7 years. Fruit from Omahu Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels and Howell Vineyard in Bridge Pa, handpicked, whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented in new and aged French oak barriques, 25% new oak. Full MLF, a small amount of lees stirring, 11 months in barrels. Vegan friendly. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $40
