Church Road TOM Chardonnay 2019

This is a powerhouse chardonnay from Hawkes Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. The fruit was wild fermented and then whole bunch pressed directly into French barriques. There’s a degree of winemaking in here with the nose of minerally stone fruit and slightly struck match characters delivered with balance and restraint. Savoury finish with a little nectarine and cumquat-like characters. A super wine showing what is possible for chardonnay in this region.