A much-awarded chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay which has won a huge pile of awards over the years, and was definitely at the forefront of what could be called the ‘modern’ style of chardonnay with that distinctive ‘struck match’ nose – that has certainly gained its followers over the last few years. This current wine won the ‘Wine of the Year’ at the WineEstate Awards this week. The 2019 continues a movement back towards balance and harmony, with plenty going on but nothing too edgy or dominant.
Intensely aromatic, with grapefruit, vanilla, peach, lemon rind, wood smoke, caramel, and toast. Vibrant acidity gives nice drive into the ripe fruit flavours of nectarine, melon and pineapple on the palate. A dash of fruit sweetness sits plump between butterscotch and crème brulee notes. Rich and complex through many layers with a generous, toasty oak thread, a nibble of baking spice, and a layer of oatmeal biscuit. It has a long finish with a drying and saline minerality. 94pts.
