A return to one of my wines of the year from 2021 – a Chardonnay that has ranked amongst my favourite New Zealand versions since the introduction of this single vineyard series from Church Road. This wine is a barrel selection of single blocks from the Terraces Vineyard in the Tuki Tuki Valley. Perfumed with golden peach, hazelnut, clove, quince, lemon curd and orange blossom – bold and enticing. Full-bodied, ripe and power-packed. Brings a wave of bright acidity and a distinctive oyster shell, saline, minerality to play, underlining that vibrant tropical fruit. Some new wood influence is still a little edgy now – with slate and char notes that are complex but stick out a little in this young wine – look for these to recede and integrate with a few months in bottle. Plenty of spice, toasty brioche, dukkah notes, as well as a creamy texture that swaddles the back of the palate. A long, dry and balanced finish. 95pts
Church Road 1 Chardonnay 2021
