Forrest Chardonnay 2024

The world famous Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, in particular in this case the Wairau River Valley, does tend to overshadow anything and everything else from the region, not least some very fine Chardonnay (and some of the world’s best brown trout flyfishing). It is definitely worth exploring the Chardonnay from here. Yellow/straw in colour, the nose has an appealing nuttiness to it, encountered on opening. We have notes of grilled cashews alongside apricot, melon, ginger, nectarine and peaches. There is still oak in the process of integration here, but it is proceeding well. The palate is slightly broad, but there is some fresh acidity and a lingering finish. It should drink well over the next four to five years.