Hester Creek Chardonnay 2022

Chardonnay is the chameleon of white wines – capable of everything from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery. Hester Creek's version is highlights restrained elegance. Pale gold with a green glint, it's already signalling its cool-climate roots. The nose is all about subtle sophistication – green apple, white peach, and a delicate toasted almond note that hints at careful oak treatment. On the palate, it's a balancing act that would make a circus performer proud. Citrus and golden apple provide the framework, with a hint of vanilla and a mineral-driven finish. This isn't a show-off Chardonnay, but a thoughtful expression of both variety and place. Tasted June 2024.

Process: 60% aged exclusively in French oak barrels, and the remaining 40% done in stainless steel. The initial fermentation lasted 20 days before being encouraged through malolactic fermentation. As it aged over the next 10 months, weekly battonage to the wine in barrels provided creaminess and a round mouthfeel from the stirring of the fine lees.

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