Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay 2022

A special chardonnay for Cullen Wines, this vintage aligns with Kevin John’s 100th birth year. His daughter Vanya has steered the winemaking and viticultural ship with fine wine-faring style and integrity over the years, and this Chardonnay is no exception to the quality of its predecessors. The 2022 vintage was a cooler one with a few heat spikes and lower yields, and the fruit for this wine was hand harvested around the biodynamic calendar over eight different harvest times from the 3rd to the 21st of February. It’s still a little shy in the glass, which is understandable given its youth; however, it already shows vibrancy, purity and promise. Fresh sea spray, citrus pith, preserved lemon, wet stone and a crisp nectarine note, gentle nutmeg spice and a wild flintiness. The palate is rounded and suave. Flavours echo the nose with crunchy nectarine, white jasmine florals and some snow pea shoot prettiness alongside finely woven phenolics and preserved lemon salinity. With six months in fifty per cent new oak (biodynamic puncheons), its presence is distinctive yet balanced and will provide a cradle for the fruit to age within. Fantastic length, detailed texture and firm acidity. A truthful wine that expresses its place, people and vintage.