Chardonnay, Barrique Reserve, Hawkes Bay, 2020, Soljans Estate

Another stunning vintage of Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay, having an elegant nose of fig and nectarine with a toasty brioche aroma that comes from the 12 months aging in French oak Barrique’s. The oak and fruit are nicely integrated on the nose and the palate features nectarine, toasty oak and an abundance of stone fruits. A crème brûlée like creaminess compliments the abundance of stone fruits. Hazelnuts and a softer caramel lead to a smooth balanced finish.

Being a fuller style of Chardonnay with a moderate oak influence, it would best be paired with seafood or poultry that has an element of creaminess. For example a creamy chicken and mushroom fettuccine.

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Feb 2020 – 4.5 stars
Beautifully ripe and elegantly complex, showing golden peach, mango, baked fig and vanillin oak characters on the nose. The palate displays lovely weight and succulent fruit flavours together with stylish oak infusion, finishing long and creamy.