Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2017

A single vineyard wine, from their Hawke’s Bay Gimblett Gravels vineyard. A pale lemon yellow with green towards the edges. Richly aromatic with white peach, roast almond croissant, mandarin peel and a flinty, reductive top note. Concentrated and intense on the palate, with citrus, stonefruit and grilled pineapple – then a little wet granite minerality lingers in the background. Well balanced, not overtly oaky (although it does frame the layers nicely and gives a little marzipan and caramel edge) and with enough zesty acidity to drive the wine along a precise, linear path. Finishes long, with a grapefruit pithiness that’s a lovely counterpoint to the lush fruit flavours. Classy and complex – you look forward to the next glass. 93pts.