From North Otago – a wine that Grant Taylor describes as ‘our Chardonnay is my favourite Valli’. A pale green-straw yellow in the glass; with complex, youthful aromas of lemon zest, red apple, peach, banana skin, smoky minerality and baguette crust. Acidity is key here, cutting a quartzy, citrus-edged line through the palate. Good intense concentration with spice and more tropical fruit notes. A silky, enfolding texture builds beautifully, with that spice and baked biscuit element returning. There’s also a greener, herbal edge nestled in here underneath, with a salinity coming through on the long finish, which also shows a drying pithyness. Well-made, excellent wine, in a modern cool-climate style. 94pts
Valli Waitaki Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
