From Lime Hill Vineyard in Waiarapa – a single vineyard, hand-picked Chardonnay from Mendoza clones. A translucent light gold-green in the glass. Classy nose – restrained and fresh, with delicate aromatics and distinctive mineral crushed shell notes. Greengage, white peach, grapefruit, roast almond and lemon blossom perfumes slowly emerge. Taut, tense and with a burst of salinity over the brisk acidity. More green notes – nettle, crushed herbs, sliced fennel and a slightly tart apple-skin fruit tannin which I liked at first, but felt too obtrusive after a while. Oatmeal biscuit and crème fraiche notes also appear in subtle layers. The finish is drying with good length. An interesting wine, from a new label that impressed immensely on a visit to the Cellar Door this month. 91pts.
B.wine Chardonnay 2020
