Forrest Estate Chardonnay 2022

The juice here, from both the Wairau River Valley and the Southern Valleys vineyard in Marlborough, was split between new and older oak barriques, with high solids for ferment and malolactic fermentation, before a ten-month period of maturation. Even from ground zero for the world’s great Savvys (okay, the Loire might have a say in this), for me, this is yet more confirmation that New Zealand’s top white is Chardonnay. A gleaming yellow, the nose is beautifully fragrant with notes of lemons, cashews, figs, quality oak, white peaches and citrus. Excellent balance and very good focus, a linear style. The palate sees a hint of oatmeal emerge, along with mandarin notes. A lingering finish, enjoy this over the next four to six years.