2016 Cloudy Bay Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Hand picked at 20.8 – 22.6 °Brix. Gentle pressing to 15% new French barriques for fermentation with indigenous yeasts. 11 months on lees. TA 7 g/l, pH 3.15. Mid lemon-gold. Struck match, toasted hazelnut oak, white and yellow peach, with some restraint. Brisk citrus and stone fruit. Spicy, struck match dominates the palate, though there’s plenty of density. Vanilla-cream, fairly long finish. (TJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Chardonnay has a more backward, perhaps more mineral-driven nose than the 2015, lighter yet very well defined and revealing touches of struck flint with time. The fresh, vibrant palate is well balanced, displaying a fine bead of acidity and leading to an elegant finish that just needs to develop more personality. Still a quality Chardonnay, though.
The 2016 Chardonnay spent 12 months in 15% new French oak. It features subtle hints of toasted hazelnut and butter, along with notes of white peaches and citrus. This medium-bodied wine is silky in texture, with a long, grapefruit-tinged finish. It shouldn't be overlooked in the Cloudy Bay lineup.