A wine from Waiheke Island – the top of the range at Mudbrick Estate – for Chardonnay. A pale golden colour in the glass. The bouquet is bold and alluring, with peach, lime, pineapple, lemon zest and apple fruits, then vanilla, baking spice and baguette crumbs, before a final top note of gunflint and struck match. The palate is more restrained, striking a balance between those voluptuous fruits and a a moderate oak toastiness. The fruit is buoyed by the acidity but there’s a creamy texture that softens any piquancy and brings a honeyed embrace into play. The finish is long and harmonious. 94pts
Mudbrick ‘Francesca’ Chardonnay 2023
