Selected rows of clone 15 grapes sourced from the Paritua Vineyard block, adjacent to the winery. A pale green-lemon shade in the glass, with a refined nose where mandarin, chestnut, grapefruit, white peach, flint, vanilla and orange blossom intermingle. Focussed into the palate where acidity gives excellent line and there’s enough barrel nuance to frame everything. The texture is on point, with a balance of (50%) malo to add a creaminess, but to retain that freshness and minerality and deliciously ripe fruit weight. Plenty of complexity here, with a saline preserved lemon, green olive note, some baking spice and nougat layered together. The finish has drive, length and finesse. Great stuff. 94pts
Paritua Willow Chardonnay 2021
