A Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay that has a great many awards under its belt from over the years. This vintage won the Trophy at IWSC 2019 – so was effectively regarded as “The World’s best Chardonnay” at the time. It is a wine I know well – having reviewed vintages for WineFolio from this vintage (originally in 2020) through to the current day.
A vibrant green-straw colour in the glass. A little touch of age perhaps to the depth of gold, but still looking quite youthful. A rich outline to the bouquet, where that reductive gun smoke still leads the way. Then complex and compelling notes of peach, grapefruit, lemon, caramel, apple pie and pineapple sweep through. Quite full-bodied and with a ripe weight of fruit that’s framed with toasty oak. Broad, soft and plush, saved by a steely acidity that moves the palate along. A nibble of baking spice turns up before a finish of reasonable length. 92pts
