A museum release from Briar Ridge, this Chardonnay is all arms and legs early but it then settles into a neat groove. Give it some time to compose itself and it comes good. Really good.
Curiously, this vineyard was cropped at 28hL/ha at the time compared to the 12hL/ha with the current 2022 release.
Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, it was barrel fermented (20% new French oak) and left on solids for ten months before it was fined and filtered.
Refined and polished, it's a cracking drink when it is in the zone. Highlighted by great depth and concentration, peach and nectarine fruit play starring roles. Vanilla oak, nutmeg, nougat and a flicker of buttered toast all peel off with ease adding veneers of interest. The luscious length just hangs. It's a beautiful drink.
Drink to five years.
94/100
Region: Hunter ValleySource: Sample
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