From a single vineyard at the base of Te Mata Peak, Havelock North. Complex, funky and flinty aromatics of peach, ginger, lemon peel, tarragon, grapefruit and nutmeg on the nose. Tight and briney into the palate, the acidity citric and flowing. Layered, generous and complex – lots to unpack. A phenolic tannic astringency comes through, over a core of ripe fruit and toasty oak. As savoury as it is fruity, with a mealy lees-influenced texture and a saline, crushed shell minerality. The wine is a real bloomer in the glass – a texture emerges that is is plush, deep and silky, sitting under these layers and, in contrast to the opening, leading to a sustained, opulent finish. Good stuff. 94pts
Te Awanga Trademark Chardonnay 2019
