Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 21-Sep-2022
Bright, pale yellow with some depth, even colour throughout. The nose is gently growing in volume, with lifted spice on the entry, entwined with ripe stonefruit aromas, flint, roasted cashew and creamy details. Medium-bodied, aromas of ripe apricot, nectarine and a suggestion of grapefruit pith integrated with roasted cashew, toffee, and warm butter lend a rich, lengthy finish. The fruit shows good ripeness and intensity, supported by a lively and ripe acid line. The toasty oak details enriched and complexed the attractive fruit. This elegant Chardonnay is well-balanced with ripe fruit and features a vibrant, sherbety acid line, enhanced by toasty oak, flint and savoury elements. Fruit from Howell Vineyard in Bridge Pa, handpicked, whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented to 13.5% alc, full indigenous MLF, aged for 11 months in the French oak barriques, 67% new oak. A small amount of lees stirring. Unfined, minimal filtration. Match with roasted pork and poussin over the next 5-8 years. Vegan friendly. 19/20 pts (95 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $60
