A Chardonnay made from the oldest Mendoza Chardonnay vines on the Clearview Estate at Te Awaanga, in Hawke’s Bay. A pale golden colour with a green tinge to the edges. The perfume is also golden, with ripe fruit that leans tropical and unctuous – peach, pineapple, marmalade and apricot. Plenty of baking spice, with a little tarragon and vanilla too on the nose. A clean, crisp acidity lifts the palate as the biscuity toast of good oak frames the fruit. Full-bodied and quite muscular, with a creamy texture that coats the tongue, the wine is nonetheless quite well-balanced and agile for something so (intentionally) opulent. Will age very well, and it is one to bring out for a special occasion. 95pts
Clearview ‘Endeavour’ Chardonnay 2019
