Sitting beside the Briar Hill Chardonnay, this Block 7 from Briar Ridge was no match. Sourced from Orange whereas the other Chardonnays come from estate plantings in the Hunter Valley, I found this tough to get through.
I gave it every chance to step up but I was denied even after a few days. Scents of hessian and a prickly acidity kept pushing me away. Concentrated fruit is highlighted by pineapple and white peach with an oatmeal thing going on. But it feels a little tinny and comes across as though the left hand is not talking to the right. A Listerine mouthwash and lemon sobet tang lingers. Perhaps bottle age will be its friend?
85/100
Region: Orange